Veterinary dentistry has become advanced over recent years, particularly with the advent of oral dental radiographs.

The idea of regular dental care for our pets is new to many pet owners who are beginning to realize the importance of regular exams, teeth cleaning, and oral radiographs.

Practice standards are changing, and pet dentistry has become sophisticated and cutting edge. Similar to when humans have an oral examination and teeth cleaning, the dentist will request radiographs to check for underlying problems or concerns.

The same should be expected for pets when they go to the veterinarian for teeth cleaning. Dental radiology is at the forefront of ever changing veterinary practice standards.

With most of a tooth lying below the gum surface (think of an Iceberg), problems cannot be appreciated until a radiograph is taken and reviewed.

It is virtually impossible to practice veterinary dentistry without dental radiographs, which allow visualization of tooth roots, bone, and surrounding structures not visible otherwise.

Dental radiographs today are not taken with the conventional x-ray unit seen at most veterinary clinics. 

Today’s advanced dental x-ray units give exceptional detail and clarity. Dental x-rays are easy to use and typically located adjacent to the patient. They are made using small radiographic films or digital sensors placed inside the patient’s mouth, and can generally be accomplished within 10 or 15 minutes when performed by an experienced and trained technician.

Typically 6-8 images are taken during a routine pet dental cleaning. The radiation risk to the patient from dental radiographs is minimal and outweighs the risk of missing underlying dental problems.

Dental radiographs should be performed early to establish a baseline for future comparison.

Ideally, this can be accomplished at the same time puppies and kittens are undergoing routine spay and neutering and should be performed under anesthesia to effectively diagnose and assist in treating a patient with periodontal disease or underlying pathologic complications.

Anesthesia is important to obtain dental radiographs because the sensor or films must be placed in the pet’s mouth, which would be difficult to accomplish awake.

Studies show that without dental radiographs, up to 75% percent of significant dental problems are missed in pets undergoing routine teeth cleaning.  

In addition, the AAHA (American Animal Hospitals Association) Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats state that preoperative and postoperative dental radiographs are mandated for all tooth extractions.  

Dental radiographs taken prior to extractions ensure that a procedure can be properly planned and that no underlying issues such as developmental defects surprise the individual performing the extractions.

Post extraction radiographs ensure that all root fragments are removed and that no inadvertent damage was caused.

A pet can be left in discomfort for years if problems are missed during a dental.

Pets showing dental problems may avoid hard food, have red or bleeding gums, bad breath, have problems picking up and dropping food, make noises when they yawn, chew on one side of the mouth, excessively sneeze, express facial discomfort by pawing at the mouth, excessively salivate, exhibit ropey drool, and more.

Any pet exhibiting these signs should have a dental with oral radiographs to allow the veterinarian to make an accurate diagnosis. Once a diagnosis has been established, the proper treatment plan can then be instituted. Without dental radiographs, an accurate diagnosis is not possible, and pets may needlessly suffer. 

Indications for dental radiographs in pets:

• Periodontal Disease and Extractions: Radiographs help to determine a treatment plan, identify retained tooth roots, follow each pet’s dental progression as they age, and to assist the operator during extractions to avoid potential injury such as jaw fractures.

• Trauma: Identify a fracture or foreign body such as shrapnel or other material.

• Defects and Variations in Tooth Density: Identify cavities or resorption lesions in cats.

• Endodontic Issues: Determine if a tooth requires a root canal.

• Developmental Defects/Anomalies: Detection of supernumerary teeth, missing teeth or teeth that have failed to erupt.

• Swellings, Cysts, Tumors: Help determine the source of facial swelling and pain.

• Advanced procedures: Pets receiving advanced procedures such as crowns, braces, jaw fracture repair, oral tumor removal.

With modern medical advances in veterinary dentistry, dental radiographs should always be implemented in the complete periodontal exam and treatment of pets undergoing dental cleaning with extractions.

It is otherwise not possible to provide good quality dental care and documentation without utilizing radiographs.

Dental radiography is the number one diagnostic tool in the practice of complete pet dentistry.

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM