🦷 Tooth Resorption in Dogs: Vet Guide to Diagnosis, Pain, and Treatment in 2025 🐶

One of the most painful and often overlooked dental conditions in dogs is tooth resorption. This progressive disease can silently destroy your dog’s teeth from the inside out—often without any obvious symptoms. As a veterinarian, I take this condition very seriously. In this 2025 guide, I’ll explain what tooth resorption is, how we diagnose it, and why early treatment can greatly improve your dog’s comfort and long-term health. 🐾

🔍 What Is Tooth Resorption?

Tooth resorption is a process where special cells called odontoclasts begin to break down the hard structure of a tooth—starting most often in the root. Over time, this destruction spreads and compromises the tooth's strength and function. 🦴

To understand this condition, it's helpful to know a bit about tooth anatomy:

• 🦷 Crown: The visible part of the tooth above the gum line
• 🦴 Root: The part embedded in the jawbone (not visible)
• 🛡️ Enamel: Hard outer covering of the crown
• 🏗️ Cementum: Bone-like covering on the root
• 🧱 Dentin: Layer beneath the enamel and cementum
• ❤️ Pulp: The core, containing blood vessels and nerves

Tooth resorption often begins silently in the root, making it nearly impossible to detect without dental imaging. 📸

🤔 What Causes Tooth Resorption?

Unfortunately, we don’t know the exact cause. There are several theories, but none have been definitively proven. What we do know is that:

• 🔬 Odontoclasts—cells that break down hard tissue—are overactive
• 🧪 The process starts deep in the root and slowly progresses
• 🦷 The disease can affect multiple teeth, sometimes simultaneously

Tooth resorption is considered a spontaneous and progressive condition—which makes regular monitoring and early detection essential. 🎯

⚠️ Signs of Tooth Resorption in Dogs

Many dogs show no obvious signs early on. However, when the resorption reaches the crown or pulp, symptoms can include:

• 💧 Increased drooling
• 🩸 Bleeding from the mouth
• 🍽️ Reluctance to eat or difficulty chewing
• 🦷 Fractured or missing teeth

If your dog suddenly avoids crunchy food or drops kibble from their mouth, it could be due to tooth pain from resorption. 🧑‍⚕️

📸 How Is It Diagnosed?

Tooth resorption is typically diagnosed with dental X-rays or CT scans. Because the early damage occurs below the gum line, a physical exam alone may not detect it.

🧑‍⚕️ Diagnosis process:

• 📋 Full history and physical exam
• 😷 Anesthesia to safely obtain detailed dental X-rays
• 🔬 Evaluation of each tooth for lesions, fractures, and internal decay

Your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary dentist for advanced imaging or complex extractions if needed. 🩺

🛠️ How Is Tooth Resorption Treated?

Treatment depends on the severity and location of the resorption:

• 🧪 Monitoring: If the lesion is minor and not causing pain, periodic monitoring may be recommended
• 🦷 Root canal therapy: In some cases, can slow progression—but results vary
• 🔨 Partial crown removal and restoration: Sometimes an option for stable, non-painful lesions
• 🪓 Full tooth extraction: The most common and effective treatment if the crown is exposed or infected

Once resorption affects the visible part of the tooth, bacteria can enter the pulp and cause severe pain or infection. In these cases, removal is the only humane and curative solution. ✅

💊 Post-op care may include:

• 💉 Pain relief medications
• 🍲 Soft or moist food for several days
• 📅 Follow-up dental checks to monitor other teeth

📈 Prognosis for Tooth Resorption

Excellent! Once the affected tooth is removed, dogs typically recover well and return to eating and playing normally. 🐕

Note: Root canal therapy has a more guarded prognosis because the disease may continue despite treatment. Your vet will help determine which approach is best based on your dog’s specific case. 🩺

📲 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Tooth resorption may be invisible—but it’s far from painless. The key is routine dental care, including X-rays and professional evaluations, especially for senior dogs or those showing signs of oral discomfort. Early action can spare your pup weeks or months of avoidable pain. 🐶🦷

Need expert dental advice or want to get your dog’s mouth checked virtually? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app for vet-backed answers, appointments, and at-home dental guidance. 📱🐾