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True Stories

Heartwarming testimonials from our clients

14-year-old Cat with Infected Tooth Root

Mickey’s owners brought him to their veterinarian because he wasn’t eating much. He had been lost and when he was found, the upper right canine (fang) tooth was missing. The missing part of the tooth was most likely broken off in a fight. A physical exam with lab tests showed that Mickey was able to have anesthesia.

In this photo, taken under anesthesia, the circle shows a reddish area where the the missing upper fang tooth used to be. Dental X-rays are needed to see what’s under the gum.

This is a cat dental model showing the roof of the mouth and the area in the dental Xray. The arrow shows the upper canine (fang) root tip.

Dental X-ray shows the abscessed root of the missing canine (fang) tooth still in the socket. The root is causing the infection. After the root is gone, the socket can heal.

This is the same dental x-ray with the root outlined in white and the abscess in red. The root was removed, the socket cleaned and grafted, and the gum sutured. Six other teeth with severe bone loss were also extracted.

Here is Mickey eating breakfast the day after surgery! His owners were thrilled that their gentle little cat could once again happily eat his food.

Key Points
  • This abscessed tooth root would not have been found without dental X-rays.
  • When the part of the tooth above the gum is missing, the root can still be left in the socket.
  • Missing teeth should always be X-rayed.
  • If an abscessed tooth root is found, the root must be removed so the socket can heal.