This cat had been hit by a car years ago. As you can see in the photo it had areas in the lower right mandible where the gingiva had not healed.

It was referred to me with the following x-ray showing retained roots. The crowns had likely broken off when the cat was hit by the car.

The root remnants were located (see photo below) and extracted and the site sutured. Premolar 407 had type 2 resorption and was crown amputated. The distal root of molar 409 was also resorbing, The crown which was partially above the gingiva was amputated and the whole site was sutured with a simple interrupted suture pattern with 5/0 Mono q reverse cutting.

It is always important to x-ray missing teeth in the mouth to ensure that there are no root remnants or unerupted teeth. If the gingiva has healed completely over a tooth root however, and there is no sign of infection or pathology on the x-ray, then the root may be left in situ and does not need to be removed.