Normally, teeth are maintained by
a balance between body cells that are depositing tooth structure
and cells that are removing tooth structure. Resorptive lesions
develop whenever the cells removing tooth material become more
active than those forming tooth material. The result is a gradual
eating away of the tooth. In dogs, this can happen due to some
prior injury to a tooth but, with aging, it can be a generalized
process affecting many teeth. The problem can develop
internally inside the crown or deep below the gum line in the
roots. The fact that this loss of tooth structure is frequently
occurring internally or below the gum line and “out of sight”,
makes early detection difficult. Most often, it is not discovered
until severe damage has already occurred.
Most affected teeth must be
extracted. The extraction
process can be complicated since a resorbing tooth has usually
become fused to the bone of the tooth socket. Lesions
that are superficial and not yet into the pulp can be restored
(filled). Unfortunately, experience has taught us that the
resorption process usually continues despite our attempts at
restoration.
