Hidden Dental Risk in Small Dogs: Study Finds 61% Affected by Tooth Resorption

Prevalence and classification of tooth resorption in small-breed dogs: A retrospective study using full-mouth intraoral radiographs

Jinhee Bae, Se Eun Kim*, Kangmoon Seo*

Background

Tooth resorption (TR) is a significant but under-investigated dental disease in dogs, especially in small breeds. It involves loss of tooth structure through osteoclastic activity and is linked to trauma, periodontal disease, and aging. While well-studied in cats and large dogs, its prevalence and classification in small-breed dogs remains poorly understood. Due to anatomical features like dense tooth crowding and fragile jaws, small breeds face higher surgical risks during extractions, emphasizing the need for breed-specific data.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed full-mouth intraoral radiographs from 248 small-breed dogs (<15 kg) presented at Seoul National University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital between June 2021 and June 2024. TR lesions were classified into seven types using radiographic criteria. Associations were evaluated between TR prevalence and variables including age, breed, sex, skull type, body weight, and number of missing teeth. Statistical methods included Spearman’s correlation, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Cochran-Armitage trend tests, and logistic regression.

Results

TR was identified in 152 of 248 dogs (61.3%). Among 8409 permanent teeth assessed, 11.4% had resorptive lesions. The most common type was external replacement resorption (ERR, 73.9%), followed by external inflammatory resorption (EIR, 17.0%). TR prevalence increased significantly with age, particularly from 9 years onward. Premolars were the most frequently affected tooth type (21.1% TR rate). Maltese dogs had the highest TR prevalence (84.9%) and a significantly increased risk of ERR (OR = 3.56). Brachycephalic breeds had more missing teeth, and lower body weight was associated with higher EIR prevalence.

Limitations

This was a retrospective single-center study based only on radiographs, excluding clinical variables like oral hygiene practices or systemic disease. The sample was biased toward older dogs due to the hospital's referral nature, potentially inflating TR prevalence. Additionally, limited case numbers for non-ERR TR types restricted further statistical modeling.

Conclusions

TR, particularly ERR and EIR, is highly prevalent in small-breed dogs and increases with age. Premolars are most susceptible, and Maltese dogs are at heightened risk. Routine dental radiographic screening is strongly recommended starting at age 9 to ensure early diagnosis and treatment. Clinicians should exercise caution with tooth extraction planning in small-breed dogs, especially in older individuals or predisposed breeds, to minimize surgical complications.

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