Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions: unveiling the early lesion

The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of the factors initiating feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs). Fifty-six teeth (clinically and radiographically unaffected by ORLs) were harvested. Of these, 43 were from cats that had ORLs in other teeth (group A) and 13 were from cats with no clinical or radiographic evidence of ORLs in any teeth (group B). Twenty-six teeth in group A and one tooth in group B showed histological evidence of external root resorption (surface resorption and replacement resorption resulting in ankylosis). Some teeth in group B showed healed cementum resorption. It has previously been assumed that FORLs were similar to lesions associated with peripheral inflammatory root resorption, and were associated with periodontal disease. These histological findings suggest instead that a FORL is a non-inflammatory replacement resorption, resulting in ankylosis. The periodontal ligament of resorbing teeth lacked normal fibrous architecture, but was not inflamed. Resorption was not identified in cervical cementum. However, the histological appearance of the cervical cementum differed between the two groups. Several aetiopathogenetic explanatory models which arise from these observations are discussed.