Opposing teeth - to extract or not?

Re: Opposing teeth - to extract or not?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 21:07:49 GMT

By the way, Oli, kudos to you for doing the check-up examinations and observing what was happening.

Re: Opposing teeth - to extract or not?

Oli_J — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 09:28:26 GMT

Thank you everyone for your replies.

Re: Opposing teeth - to extract or not?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:45:56 GMT

[quote user="Oli_J"]Do people routinely extract these opposing teeth?[/quote]

No. Although I always consider it, as in the individual cat the considerations may be different. Most usually there is no trouble. Have a look again three or four weeks later and extract some more if necessary.

[quote user="Oli_J"] Does the ulceration ever resolve without extracting the opposing teeth?[/quote]

Yes. The proprioceptors and the local tissues and the facial muscles readjust, I think.

A common situation is where you have extracted an upper canine tooth, and the lower canine tooth starts to impinge on the upper lip. Usually it just stops happening after a while.

Re: Opposing teeth - to extract or not?

Mark Holmes — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:29:23 GMT

I don't extract opposing teeth prophylactically but if they cause a problem I take them out as a quick and easy solution

Re: Opposing teeth - to extract or not?

Stephen Courtney — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:42:45 GMT

I would not routinely extract opposing teeth, especially carnassials. It is something to watch, the ulcers may heal and the tissue toughen up over time, also there might be another reason for this problem. another thing to consider is some sort of prophylactic care - mouth washes might help though I have to admit in my hands they result in a lot of mouth wash going everywhere except into the cat's mouth...