DENTISTRY RADIOGRAPHS

By Mandi Dick

WHY

DO WE TAKE DENTAL X-RAYS?

To see anything below the gingiva (gum line) or within the tooth. To examine an area of missing teeth After surgery to confirm extraction Before, during, and after dental

surgeries that may need fresh data Prepurchase exams on show animals

DENTAL X-RAY FACTS 2/3 of a dog or cat’s teeth are underneath the gums and not viewable

Without radiographs, the cause of a problem can be missed 75% of the time

Radiographs determine whether teeth are abnormal, malpositioned, missing, nonvital (dead), or vital (alive)

WHEN

DO WE TAKE DENTAL X-RAYS? If a tooth is discolored, missing without explanation, or moving If a tooth is fracturedIf gingiva bleeds with or without being pokedIf a feline ondontoclastic resorptive lesion is present If prior to extraction, for orientation and documentation purposes

DENTAL X-RAYS Periodontal Disease Oral Tumors Missing Teeth Fractured Teeth Feline Odontoclastic resorptive lesions

DENTAL X-RAYS All Breeds are effected by dental problems Depending on the radiographic information, a number of treatments can be made for teeth and the gingiva to preserve and heal Many problems are discovered during routine dental cleaning, so get your pets teeth cleaned!

PERIODONTAL DISEASE One of the most common ailments of small animals Animals that come in for routine teeth cleaning may have mobile teeth The decision to extract, perform flap surgery or treat with medicine is based on radiographs that need to be taken The degree of bone loss can be measured with a radiograph

PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Significant bone loss around the lower premolar and molar teeth.Some of these would be extracted while others would be saved.

ORAL TUMORSOral tumors account for 6% of all

tumors in dogs and 10% of all tumors in cats.

Of these, 50% of oral dog tumors and 10% of oral cat tumors are

benign

MISSING TEETH Easy to overlook hidden problems caused by a missing tooth because there are no signs to observe Have they fallen out or are they still below the gingiva (gum line). Any teeth below the gingiva MUST be removed, it can cause many more problems down the line for a pet.

MISSING TEETH

This radiograph reveals an abnormal unerupted mandibular first premolar associated with radiolucent cystic lesions. Resorption of the mesial root of the mandibular second premolar, caused by the expanding cyst, is also present.

Mandible of a 3-year-old castrated male bearded collie. All that was seen before the X-ray was that the first premolar on the mandible was missing.

FRACTURED TEETH Front aspect of the first molar tooth on the left side fracture goes through the whole tooth and roots were beginning to absess.

FELINE ODONTALCLASTIC RESORPTIVE LESIONS

FORLs usually present as very painful areas of granulated tissue into the surface of the tooth.May be suspected with gingivitis in the middle of multi-rooted teeth.

REFERENCESAll Pets Dental. The Why, When, and How of Small Animal Dental Radiography. http://www.dentalvet.com/vets/basicdentistry/whywhenhow_radiology.htm

DVM360. Just Ask an Expert. http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/vetmed/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/572618

My Pet Dentist. Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery Specialists, LLC. http://www.mypetsdentist.com/site/view/114365_DentalRadiology.pml

Pet Care Veterinary Hospital. Broken Molar Found on Dental Cleaning. http://www.petcarevb.com/wordpress/dental-cases-of-the-month/broken-molar-found-on-dental-cleaning/

The Pet Dentist at Tampa Bay. Oral Tumors. http://www.thepetdentist.com/oral-tumors-pets-animals.php

Veterinary Dental Services. Feline Tooth Resoption. http://www.veterinarydental.com/veterinarians/forls.php