JUNE 2009: CHAT NOIR

An anomaly is described as “any marked deviation from that which is ordinary or normal.” In a tooth, abnormality in size or shape would qualify.

Chat Noir is an 8½ year old, domestic medium hair, neutered male cat that came into the hospital to board for a week. Upon the owner’s request, he was scheduled for his annual oral evaluation and prophylaxis, which was due at this time. His complete history and record of any therapy done was obtained through their previous veterinary hospital. A full examination along with a pre-anesthetic blood profile was performed and proved to be unremarkable.

An intravenous catheter was placed and the cat was anesthetized and placed on isoflurane anesthetic for the procedure. The necessary monitors were applied along with attention to thermal regulation. Vital statistics were within the normal limits.

Upon oral examination, it was noticed that both lower molars (teeth #309 and #409) appeared to have supernumerary crowns. Was there an extra root attached and was it actually part of the molar itself? The owner had declined a full mouth radiographic series, feeling that it wasn’t necessary and that the cat had never had any previous issues. Radiographs were taken of both the mandibular molars along with the mandibular incisors. A mobile crown was present at the site of the left 3rd incisor (tooth #303).

The radiographs showed what appeared to be a retained tooth root at the site of tooth #303 and a supernumerary, single rooted tooth distolingual to tooth #309 and tooth #409. Occlusal views of #309 and #409 were also taken to determine and verify that each of these anomalous teeth actually had an adjacent, separate supernumerary tooth and not an anatomical abnormality. Although this is unusual in itself since cats don’t normally have a single rooted mandibular molar, these “extra” teeth would remain for now.

Since there was no evidence of pathology, the teeth would be monitored each year for any changes or possible disease. The mobile crown of #303 was removed and the retained tooth root was extracted.

The cat was prescribed a short course of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory for any discomfort and antibiotics were not given.
Upon release, the owner was given a full account of the
procedure along with a discussion of the photographic and radiographic findings. She was very pleased with the attention to the cat’s current oral findings and remarked that she would be scheduling yearly evaluations and cleanings at our hospital along with radiographic evaluation.

It is important to do a thorough, anesthetized oral examination on every dental patient presented for a dental procedure, no matter how ordinary it might appear to be. Radiographs are an essential part of the assessment process and can reveal many secrets hidden below the gingiva. Anomalous findings can be found visually as in this cat’s case and then evaluated to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Many times these abnormal conditions can only be found through radiographic assessment, such as supernumerary roots or tooth root dilacerations. These findings can complicate the diagnosis and remarkably change the way in which this tooth might be approached if surgical extraction or another form of therapy was required.