4135. Adult cats have 30 teeth

Feline Dentistry Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference 2001 Sandra Manfra Marretta, DVM, Diplomate ACVS, AVDC University of Illinois Management of feline oral pathologic conditions include several specific problems, including: (1) variation in dentition and dental abnormalities, (2) abnormalities of occlusion, (3) periodontal disease, (4) odontoclastic resorptive lesions, (5) fractured teeth, (6) lymphocytic-plasmacytic stomatitis, (7) eosinophilic granuloma, and (8) nasopharyngeal polyps. 

Clinical signs associated with oral pain include: (1) changes in eating habits, (2) halitosis, (3) pawing at the mouth, (4) abnormal salivation, (5) oral hypersensitivity, (6) facial swelling, (7) oral hemorrhage, (8) sneezing, (9) nasal discharge, and (10) behavioral changes. 

Thorough oral examination will frequently reveal the source of discomfort. Recognition of normal as well as abnormal oral structures are important in the management of feline oral pain. Normal anatomic structures that may be mistaken for pathologic conditions include the incisive papilla, a small eminence located just caudal to the central incisor teeth, and the lingual molar gland, a small salivary gland, located adjacent to the lingual aspect of the mandibular molar. 

Variation in Numbers of Teeth and Dental Abnormalities The deciduous dental formula for kittens is: 2(I3/I3, C1/C1, P3/P2) = 26 teeth. The permanent dental formula for adult cats is: 2(I3/I3, C1/C1, P3/P2, M1/M1) = 30 teeth. In the cat all the incisors and canine teeth have 1 root, the maxillary 2nd premolar has 1 root, the 3rd premolar has 2 roots, and the 4th premolar has 3 roots while the maxillary 1st molar has 2 roots. The mandibular cheek teeth in a cat (3rd and 4th premolars and 1st molars) all have 2 roots. 

Abnormalities in the number of teeth in cats can be inherited, or can result from disturbances during the initial stages of tooth formation. Complete absence of all teeth, anodontia, and decreased number of teeth, oligodontia, are uncommon in cats. Supernumerary teeth are more common, and may result in crowding and malalignment of teeth with development of premature periodontal disease. The mandibular fourth premolars appear to be the most common supernumerary teeth in the cat. Supernumerary teeth that result in crowding should be extracted early. Retention of deciduous teeth rarely occurs in cats. Retained deciduous teeth should be extracted as soon as they are diagnosed so that permanent teeth may erupt into their normal position. When retained deciduous teeth are not removed, permanent teeth are deflected lingually, except maxillary canine teeth, which are deflected rostrally. Abnormalities in development of teeth occur rarely in cats. Gemination is a disorder in which the developing tooth bud attempts to split but fails to do so completely, resulting in duplication of part of the tooth but not complete twinning. Gemination teeth commonly have two crowns, each with a separate pulp chamber merging into a common root canal system which can be demonstrated radiographically.