What are Fractured Teeth in Cats

Introduction

When Sophie, a lively Maine Coon, suddenly lost interest in her favorite chew toys and struggled to eat her food, her owner, Paul, noticed that something was off. Worried about Sophie’s well-being, he promptly took her to the veterinarian for a thorough oral examination. Upon inspection, the veterinarian discovered that Sophie had fractured teeth, a dental issue that can affect cats of all breeds and ages.

Cats’ teeth are made up of enamel and dentin. Enamel protects the tooth and pulp tissue, whereas dentin provides support. If these two layers separate, the tooth becomes weakened and susceptible to fractured teeth in cats. As a result, cats who bite down on objects tend to develop broken cat teeth over time.

As long as the damage is minor, the tooth can heal itself. However, the animal hospital or vet must extract the tooth if the injury is severe enough and develops an abscess. As many as 85 percent of adult cats have some form of cat dental disease.

There are two types of fractures in cats’ teeth. One occurs when the tooth breaks off completely. Another one is called an avulsion fracture.

Avulsion fractures occur when bone tissue tears away from its original attachment site. The most common areas this happens include the distal radius, proximal humerus, tibia, fibula, calcaneum, talus, navicular, cuboid, and phalanx bones. They usually involve the metaphysis (the area just below the epiphysis) of long bones such as the femur, tibia, and fibula.

There are two types of avulsions: transverse and longitudinal. Transverse avulsions tear off pieces of bone along their length, while longitudinal avulsions tear off sections across their width.

Bruxism is a condition characterized by repeated clenching and grinding of the teeth. It is a common problem among people and animals who suffer from stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, jaw pain, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), bruxism, tooth wear, etc.

What Causes Fractured Teeth in Cats?

A fractured tooth is a break in the enamel or dentin of a tooth. This type of injury typically occurs because of trauma such as a fall, a collision with another object, chewing on complex objects, a motor vehicle accident, or being hit by something hard enough to break the tooth. In most cases, the fracture does not require immediate attention; however, it must be treated within 24 hours to prevent further damage to the tooth. Both dogs and cats experience joint pain at a rate of 10% to 20%. If you suspect that a broken tooth in the cat is present, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Cats often experience dental fracture due to falling off furniture, jumping onto counters, and playing rough with each other. Most cats do not chew their teeth as dogs do, so they rarely develop problems related to chewing habits. However, some cats have been known to gnaw on things, including toys, bedding, and household items. When this happens, the resulting damage can range from minor chipping to complete loss of one or several teeth.

Several factors cause dental problems in cats. These include genetics, nutrition, environment, and oral hygiene habits.

1. Genetics – Some cats are born with poor teeth. This means that they don’t develop proper enamel on their teeth. As a result, they are prone to developing dental problems.
2. Nutrition – Poor nutrition can lead to dental problems in cats, especially those fed commercial diets. Commercial cat foods often contain ingredients that are harmful to the development of teeth. For example, corn syrup is commonly used as an ingredient in cat food. Corn syrup has been known to promote plaque formation and tartar buildup.
3. Environment – Environmental factors play a role in the development of cat dental problems. These factors include temperature, humidity, air quality, and exposure to toxins.
4. Oral Hygiene – Habits: Many owners must regularly brush their pet’s teeth. Brushing helps remove bacteria and debris from the gums. Regular brushing also stimulates saliva production, which promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the mouth.

Symptoms of Fractured Teeth in Cats

Tooth fractures are common injuries in cats. They can occur due to trauma, such as being hit by another animal, cats jumping from heights, or falling off furniture. Sometimes, it can be challenging to determine whether a cat has suffered a fractured tooth. However, if you notice any unusual behavior or symptoms in your pet, contact your veterinary dentist immediately. Here are some warning signs that your cat may have a broken tooth:

• Blood in the mouth
• Chewing food on one side of the mouth
• Pus around the affected tooth
• Difficulty eating or drinking
• Excessive drooling
• facial swelling

Diagnosis of Feline Teeth Fracture

Diagnosing a fractured tooth in a cat is done by taking x-rays of the teeth and then examining them under a microscope. The dentist will clean the teeth with dental floss and water if there is no fracture. If there is a fracture, the dentist will remove the broken pieces from the mouth and put them into a container. Then they will use dental instruments to clean the area around the tooth and apply medicine to prevent infection. After this procedure, the patient’s veterinarian will examine the teeth again and decide whether to treat the injury or wait until the next visit.

Treatment of Feline Teeth Fracture

Cats have very sensitive mouths and gums, so when they bite down hard on things, they often break off pieces of their teeth. This condition is called feline dental trauma (FD).

Vets usually recommend removing broken tooth fragments from the cat’s mouth because they can cause infection and abscesses. They may also need antibiotics to prevent secondary infections.

If the vet determines that there’s no risk of infection, they may be able to reattach the fragment back onto the tooth with special glue. In addition, the vet may use a temporary filling material to hold the piece until the tooth heals.

However, if the vet detects signs of infection, the vet may remove the fragment and replace it with a permanent restoration. The vet may also prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to help ease discomfort during recovery.

When treating FD, vets typically perform a thorough oral examination to determine whether additional treatment is needed. Vets may also take X-rays or CT scans to evaluate bone damage.

Some cats recover quickly after receiving treatment for FD; others require multiple visits over several weeks. Cats who experience FD should receive regular veterinary care to monitor healing progress and ensure that any remaining fragments are removed.

When a cat needs a tooth extracted, it should receive pain medication before anesthesia. This helps ensure the procedure goes smoothly and reduces the risk of complications. After the anesthesia wears off, the patient must rest quietly for several hours. If you notice your pet licking his mouth excessively, he could be experiencing discomfort. You should call your veterinarian immediately if there is excessive bleeding or swelling.

A radiograph is required after every tooth extraction. These x-rays help determine whether the tooth was positioned correctly during the procedure. They also show bone loss around the teeth’ roots and foreign objects inside the jawbone. Radiographs are necessary even if the tooth appears healthy.

After a tooth fracture, treatment options include root canal therapy, extraction of the damaged tooth, and dental implants. All three procedures require sedation. Your vet will discuss each option with you and recommend one based on your pet’s age and overall health.

Pet insurance will cover most of the costs of treating a fractured tooth. However, specific policies exclude coverage for extractions and implant procedures. Contact your insurer to find out what benefits are covered.

Prevention of Feline Broken Teeth

Brush your cat’s teeth every day. This helps prevent tartar buildup, gum disease, and tooth decay. You can use a manual brush or a special electric toothbrush designed for felines. Your vet can show you how to do it correctly. See your veterinarian immediately if you notice signs of gingivitis, such as redness around the gums, swollen gums, loose teeth, or bleeding gums.

Do not feed your hardconsidered cat objects, like toys or bones, to chew on. These things can cause damage to the jawbone and lead to broken teeth.

Many veterinarians recommend scaling and brushing your cat’s teeth once per year. Scaling involves scraping away plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth to prevent future bacterial infections. Brushing removes debris and bacteria from the inside of the mouth.

Frequently Asked Questions