Anatomical Variations in the Dentition of the Domestic Cat

Abstract

Skulls (n = 155) of adult domestic cats were examined macroscopically and anatomical variations were documented. The maxillary second premolar tooth was absent in 7.9% of cases, and was found to have a single root in 27.7%, partly fused roots in 55.1% and two fully formed roots in 9.2% of cases. The maxillary first molar tooth was absent in 2.3% of cases; a single root was present in 35.0%, a partly fused root in 34.7%, and two roots in 28.0% of cases. Supernumerary roots were found on the maxillary third premolar teeth in 10.3% of cases. Other variations were found to be extremely rare.