Dental radiographs have become an essential part of veterinary dentistry, often being upheld as the standard of care. That’s because dental x-rays are the only way to diagnose the full extent of dental or periodontal disease.

They help uncover unexpected lesions, assist with planning surgical extractions, and serve as part of the medical record.

Here are 10 factors that can help a busy veterinary practice decide how much to invest and which veterinary dental x-ray equipment is right for them…

1. Cashflow/return on investment plan. It’s not unusual for veterinary practices to report a significant increase in dental income after investing in dental radiography equipment. That’s because of an increased ability to detect pathology that needs to be treated.

However, each practice has a unique clientele, practice style, patient load and degree of busyness, and financial situation. 

Developing a business and financial plan for dentals can help. Think about expected usage of the new equipment, how much to charge in your local area, and other factors. This will help a practice determine how much to invest in their dental radiography equipment.

1. Image quality and repeatability. Dental x-ray images need to clearly show fine details. A veterinarian must be able to distinguish small changes around the periodontal ligament and root apex, or other fine details, to determine the degree of pathology that is present.

Ask colleagues for advice. See which machines they have, whether they are happy with their purchase, and what they do or do not like about their x-ray system. When planning for a purchase, ask vendors or manufacturers if a test period with a trial machine is available and try it on different size patients to ensure it produces diagnostic images.

1. Technology: Film, CR, or DR. Although film is becoming less common in all x-ray modalities, there are some practitioners who prefer manually developing dental films and can do so efficiently. But for many veterinarians, digital is the way to go—it’s just a matter of choosing between CR (phosphor plates that use a plate reader to produce a digital image) or DR (a sensor that directly produces a digital image).

Cost is one consideration, as CR technology tends to be less expensive—although it does require the purchase of one or more plate readers. However, DR can be more efficient since there’s no need to run the sensor through any type of developer or plate reader.

1. Components and sizes. In addition to a generator, the practice will need plates (for CR) or sensors (for DR). Depending on the manufacturer, another important difference between these two technologies comes down to sensor/plate size. CR typically has more of a range of sizes available, which can be helpful for practices that see large dogs, small cats and dogs, and everything in between. 

Before purchasing, check which size sensors or plates are available and ensure this will meet your needs.

1. Mounted versus handheld/portable. Veterinary dental x-ray generators can be mounted to carts or a wall. There are also handheld veterinary dental x-ray generators available. A mobile practice or one with limited space might appreciate a handheld unit, which has a smaller footprint and less wiring/installation concerns. It also allows for flexible angles, potentially without having to move the patient around as much to get all necessary shots.

On the other hand, a handheld unit is at a higher risk of drop damage. And safety must be considered, as veterinary radiology in general is moving toward hands-free restraint and having operators out of the room (if possible) when the image is generated. Some countries or jurisdictions might have restrictions on portable units, too, so be sure to double check before purchasing.

1. User-friendliness. There’s a learning curve for anyone new to dental x-rays—both for the team members taking the shots, and for the veterinarian interpreting the images. So, no matter which system you purchase, it’s important to invest in some type of training. 

That being said, some systems are certainly more intuitive to use than others. Some teams would prefer to have a veterinary digital dental x-ray system with species-specific presets that make it easy to capture all shots at the correct settings. 

It also helps to have a generator that is easy to move and set in the right position and angle, whether that’s an ergonomic portable machine or a mounted generator on an arm that stays where it is put.

1. The durability of ALL components. Common “accidents” in the veterinary setting include drop damage, water damage, and bite damage to the plate or sensor. Look for systems designed to stand up to daily veterinary use.

2. Warranty, service, and maintenance. Speaking of damage, sometimes accidents happen even when all reasonable precautions are taken. And you don’t want to lose out on your investment if that occurs.

A warranty is very nice to have, although it should cover common veterinary practice-related damage, including bite damage. Ask about warranty costs, coverage, and renewal options. 

Also, look for ongoing costs related to service and maintenance, whether loaner equipment is available during extended repairs to equipment, and whether tech support is available.

1. Veterinary dental x-ray software compatibility. Software is needed for saving images to practice management software or electronic medical records, as well as for viewing and sharing the images. Make sure the dental x-ray equipment you plan to use is compatible with your practice’s software. 

2. Financing and money considerations. Is purchasing the equipment outright an option? Or does financing make more sense in terms of cash flow? Remember to check on tax benefits as well.

Research and discuss everything with decision-makers at the practice. Ask for suggestions from team members who will be using the dental x-ray equipment. Consult business, tax, or financial professionals as needed.

Although any veterinary equipment purchase is a significant investment, it can also be a way to bring new income to the practice—not to mention boost patient care and improve workflow and efficiency. 

Written by: Dr. Tammy Powell, DVM