How many teeth does a cat have?

Let’s first talk about what our human teeth are like. They are divided into four types of teeth:

1. Incisors?

2. canines? Canine teeth

3. premolars

4. molares

The four different teeth have different functions and work with the tongue to cut and press food. Shredding, tearing and grinding. Teeth are very important in many aspects. In addition to the digestion and processing of food during eating, they also have a certain impact on maintaining the strength of the jaws, facial shape, speaking, drinking, etc. All in all, it is really important (otherwise why would I receive small advertisements for dental implants every day and burst into tears~).

Look at my big white teeth

Different animal types have different tooth shapes, which are related to the animal's nutrition and eating habits, and thus differentiate. A normal adult has 32 teeth, so the method of describing the total number of teeth based on the arrangement of the teeth is called tooth type.

The tooth type will be expressed based on the first letters of the English words of the four types of teeth.

Tooth pattern format:

(Number of each type of teeth in the upper jaw)/(Number of each type of tooth in the lower jaw)

Tooth pattern = (2 Incisors 1 canine 2 premolars 3 molars)/(2 incisors 1 canine 2 premolars 3 molars)

I incisors? C canines? M molars

Deciduous dentition (20 teeth) :I2/2C1/M2/2=10 pieces.

Permanent dentition (32 teeth): I2/2C1/1P2/2M3/3=16 teeth.

Each species has its own unique tooth pattern. Most mammals have two sets of teeth, deciduous teeth and permanent teeth. The same is true for dogs and cats. New teeth usually start to grow in 3 months, and last until about 1 year old. Cats have fewer teeth than dogs.

Dogs and cats have 4 types of teeth: I incisors? C canines? M molars? P premolars

Canine deciduous teeth: 28 in total

Upper jaw : 6 incisors, 2 canines, 6 premolars, 0 molars

Mandible: 6 incisors, 2 canines, 6 premolars, 0 molars

Canine permanent teeth: 42 in total

Upper jaw: 6 incisors, 2 canines, 8 premolars, 4 molars

Mandible: 6 incisors, 2 canines, 8 premolars, 6 molars

Canine teeth Physical examination form

Type of cat deciduous teeth: 26 in total

Upper jaw: 6 incisors, 2 canines, 6 premolars, 0 molars

Mandible: 6 incisors, 2 canines, 4 premolars, 0 molars

Canine permanent teeth: 30 in total

Upper jaw: 6 incisors, 2 canines, 6 premolars, 2 molars

Mandibular: 6 incisors, 2 canines, 4 premolars, 2 molars

In terms of anatomy, cats usually lack the maxillary first premolar, the mandibular first premolar, and the mandibular second premolar.

In fact, it is not only humans who are troubled by dental problems. It is reported that as many as 49.6% of companion animals have found broken teeth. In cases of complex tooth fractures (pulp exposure), the pulp chamber can become contaminated with oral bacteria and develop infection and necrosis, ultimately leading to periapical infection.

Tooth resorption is also common, occurring in domestic cats aged 27 to 72 years and in a small number of dogs. Usually caused by odontoclastic damage.

The most common and most frequent in daily life: periodontal disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis, which are usually caused by dental plaque. Gingivitis is reversible and preventable. Removing plaque above and below the gum margin can reverse the onset of gingivitis and prevent it through consistent home care measures that remove plaque. Daily care is especially important.

If feline gingivitis is not treated in time, it will lead to the loss of the attachment structure between the teeth and periodons, and chronic gingival inflammation will turn into periodontitis.

Periodontitis is also an inflammation that leads to the irreversible loss of tooth supporting tissues, progressing from periodontal ligament loss to alveolar bone loss, resulting in clinically detectable attachment loss, although this process may be slowed by treatment and care. Or stop, but it is difficult to reverse, eventually leading to tooth loss.

In addition to common daily dental problems such as gingivitis and periodontitis, pets also have the same dental treatments as humans.

Enamel repair

Enamel hypoplasia is secondary to the interruption of the enamel matrix deposition process at 9-12 weeks of age. The interruption is usually due to infection, malnutrition or trauma. Tooth enamel is the hardest part of the body and protects the dentin and pulp. If it is missing, it needs to be repaired.

Enamel hypoplasia, enamel loss

Restoration involves the use of cured acrylic resin as a dental adhesive on the enamel-free site to protect the dentin and pulp within. Canine and carnivore teeth are often further restored with metallic matte to protect the underlying sensitive structures from pressure and hot and cold stimuli.

Acrylic repairs enamel defects

Metal crowns have the greatest protective effect

Internal tooth repair

Tooth trauma, the injured tooth will It exhibits discoloration secondary to irreversible pulpitis, usually with pulp swelling and intrapulpal hemorrhage, before the pulp begins to die and the tooth gradually loses its function. There will also be a dull pain with this condition.

Faded Teeth

Faded teeth are treated with anti-inflammatory and pain relievers. Some may require root canal treatment or tooth extraction.

Maxillary canine discoloration secondary to irreversible pulpitis

Imaging images of root canal repair

Depending on the injury, if the age of the animal is not If the tooth is large and the pulp cannot be seen clinically, acrylic resin can be used to cover the exposed dentin for restoration.

Simple fracture of mandibular canine tooth

Polymerization (hardening) of acrylic resin

Repair of dental crown

Pulp exposure In this case, you can consider directly using pulp capping to reduce tooth sensitivity and prevent bacterial invasion

Before crown restoration

Metal crown restoration

Dental crown If the root is fractured, but the pulp is not exposed, after treatment with calcium hydroxide, a crown model is made, and finally the metal crown is repaired.

Acute complex crown fracture of cat canine teeth

In this case, tooth extraction or root canal treatment is a common approach. If the tooth with exposed pulp is not treated, it will cause Oral bacteria enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation and infection of the tops of the teeth.

Imaging data on teeth with root canal treatment that have a good prognosis

Tooth problems are either major or minor. If there is a problem, you must seek medical treatment in time. When there are no problems, daily maintenance must be done well.

Finally, now that you know so much, go take a look at your little one’s teeth.