- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Broken teeth aren’t uncommon in cats. In fact, cats can injure or break their teeth in plenty of ways, from fights with other cats to an awkward landing after an impressive jump.
Some broken teeth may involve only a small chip off the enamel. More serious breaks may involve a complete fracture that exposes the pulp, or soft tissue at the center of your cat’s tooth. These tooth injuries can cause a lot of pain, and your cat may need emergency veterinary treatment—potentially even surgery.
Removing a cat’s broken tooth may cost a few thousand dollars in some cases, but the first step always involves an assessment from a veterinarian. Read on to learn exactly what to do when your cat breaks a tooth, from spotting the broken tooth to helping them get the care they need.
How To Spot Your Cat’s Broken Tooth
If you suspect your cat has broken a tooth, see if they will let you look inside their mouth. “I recommend pulling up the upper ‘lips’ and looking for abnormalities,” says Dr. Stacy Choczynski Johnson.
The pointed canine teeth, or “fangs,” at the front of a cat’s mouth are the most likely to break. You may notice:
- One tooth appears shorter than the others
- A missing section in a tooth
- An unstable or wiggly tooth. This can expose the root and increase the risk of infection.
- A black or red spot in the middle of the broken tooth. “Discoloration of the tooth often indicates inflammation, hemorrhage, and necrosis in the pulp cavity of the tooth,” Dr. Choczynski Johnson says.
Along with a broken tooth, you may also notice a few additional signs, according to Dr. Patrik Holmboe, head veterinarian of Cooper Pet Care. For example, your cat may:
- Have trouble eating as they usually would, due to trying to chew on the side of the mouth without the broken tooth
- Have a bad smell coming from their mouth if the tooth becomes infected
- Drop food and struggle to eat because it hurts to use the tooth
Is a fractured tooth different from a chipped tooth?
A break in a tooth can range from a minor chip to more serious fracture where the tooth has completely broken off. A chipped tooth only involves cosmetic damage. It doesn’t affect the pulp within the tooth. Still, it never hurts to have your vet examine your cat if you have any concerns.
“We know from humans that breaking a tooth can be extremely painful,” says Dr. Holmboe, adding that immediate pain only happens when the tooth breaks on the inside. If only a small outside part chips away, your cat may not experience pain, he says.
Complications of a broken tooth
Minor dental fractures may not need treatment. That said, if you think the pulp of your cat’s tooth is exposed, you’ll want to take them to the vet right away. This type of break doesn’t just cause pain. It also poses a risk of infection.
Causes
Cats tend to move with grace and poise—but not always!
“Almost anything can cause a broken tooth,” says Dr. Holmboe. “Fighting, chewing on a hard object, or falling onto their face are all possibilities. But the presence of dental disease like gingivitis and periodontitis will increase the chance of a tooth breaking.”
Other causes of fractures include severe infections or cancerous lesions on the gums. “Cats can also have resorptive lesions, resulting in holes in the teeth,” says Dr. Choczynski Johnson. “This is a painful process and can result in chattering when the area is touched.”
When To Call Your Vet
Cats hide pain very well. So, even if your cat seems happy and you don’t pick up on any obvious changes in their behavior, a visit to your vet is always your best bet. Dr. Choczynski Johnson says she never recommends a “Wait and see” approach for a broken tooth.
Your vet can safely inspect your cat’s tooth and offer more guidance on whether it requires immediate treatment. If your cat’s tooth wobbles or has an exposed root, your vet will likely advise extracting the tooth.
Treating A Cat’s Broken Tooth
If your cat has broken a tooth, the treatment options will depend on the severity of their injury.
“In many cases, the fractured tooth is extracted,” says Dr. Choczynski Johnson. “Veterinarians with advanced training may perform a total pulpectomy (root canal) with tooth restoration.”
How to care for your cat’s broken tooth at home
While you’re waiting for an appointment, try to keep your cat as calm as possible. Make sure they have a quiet place where they can comfortably hide, if they choose. Dr. Choczynski Johnson also recommends offering a range of different food options to encourage your cat to eat, like their usual kibble soaked in water to make it softer or a wet food that’s easier to chew.
Never give a cat (or any other pet) human painkillers. “Many over-the-counter medications for humans are toxic to cats,” says Dr. Choczynski Johnson.
If you think your cat needs urgent care, you can call your local emergency vet to schedule an appointment right away.
Veterinary treatment for a broken tooth
Your vet may recommend a tooth extraction or root canal. Before the procedure, they’ll sedate your cat and take X-rays of the broken tooth.
Extraction: This procedure involves removing the entire tooth. If you’ve had your wisdom teeth, or any other tooth removed, the procedure is similar. After your cat has recovered from the surgery and completed any prescribed medications, like antibiotics, they shouldn’t need any further treatment.
Root canal: This procedure involves removing all of the pulp inside your cat’s tooth. According to Dr. Holmboe, this procedure is much more expensive and only done rarely.
How much does a tooth extraction cost?
You’ll pay for the cost of the procedure, along with:
- Screening blood tests
- General anesthetic
- X-rays
- IV fluids
- Aftercare medications, including antibiotics
The costs for these will vary depending on your location, the tooth involved, and the severity of the damage. As a rough guide, Dr. Holmboe says an extraction will usually cost at least a few hundred dollars. That cost may increase if your cat:
- Has severe damage to the tooth
- Needs an emergency visit and extraction
- Is a large breed that needs additional anesthetic
Often, pet insurance policies will cover some or all of the cost of tooth extraction as an acute trauma.
How much does a cat root canal cost?
Root canal procedures are more complex than extractions, and typically only veterinarians with advanced training will perform them.
The procedure, along with the additional costs outlined above, may cost up to $3,000, according to Dr. Holmboe. There’s also a chance your cat may need a follow-up root canal procedure.
How To Care For Your Cat After Dental Surgery
After a tooth extraction or root canal, your cat will need to recover quietly for 10-14 days. Your vet will prescribe pain medication and antibiotics, and they may choose to give them as injections to avoid giving them orally as your cat recovers, says Dr. Choczynski Johnson.
Your vet will also put your cat on a soft food diet until they recover (so they don’t need to chew) and give you guidance on monitoring their food intake and hydration. Any sutures will usually dissolve over time, so your vet won’t need to remove them later.
Once your cat recovers from the surgery, they’ll likely be back to their usual self—make sure to show them plenty of affection and love as they heal!