Veterinary Dental Radiology
Dental X-rays Are Critical
Digital dental radiology is an important tool in diagnosing and treating oral and dental disease. Without dental radiographs, dental problems (infections) can be missed. Dental radiographs help aid in diagnosis, treatment planning, monitoring treatment and post operative treatment success.
Digital dental radiographs are used to view the dental tissues and supporting structures for the teeth. They are also used to identify problems with the crowns of the teeth, facial and jaw bones as well as the nasal cavity. They are useful for evaluating the crown and roots of teeth as well as the supporting bone and soft tissue.
High definition intra oral digital radiographs provide exceptionally clear pictures for better diagnosis and use approximately 90% less than the usual dosage of radiation. Additionally, intra oral digital radiographs require less time to produce quality films, thus decreasing the time that your pet is under anesthesia.
Dental radiography is a very important diagnostic tool used in our practice. Dental x-rays can help with identification of the following conditions:
Periodontal disease- Endodontic disease
- Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions
- Trauma, maxillary or mandibular fractures, fractured teeth
- Dental abnormalities
- Preoperative, perioperative and post operative evaluations
- Nasal cavity disease
- Missing teeth
- Dentigerous Cysts
- Oral Masses or Tumors
- Retained Roots
- Periapical abscesses
- Genetic dental abnormalities
- Cavities and Root Resorption
- Abscessed teeth
- Permanent tooth count in puppies
- Retained Deciduous teeth
See below links for Anasazi patients that show examples of the importance of digital dental x-rays:
Persistent Deciduous (baby) Teeth
Persistent deciduous teeth are a very common dental problem seen in puppies and young dogs. The condition occurs when the baby tooth and the adult tooth are present at the same time. A baby tooth is not resorbed unless the permanent tooth develops directly underneath. The canine teeth and the incisor teeth are most commonly affected.
Persistent deciduous teeth are most frequently seen in the toy breeds; Miniature Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Miniature Schnauzers, Pomeranian and Dachshunds. The condition is seen less frequently in the larger breeds and cats.
Persistent deciduous teeth are a problem when they cause displacement of the permanent teeth. Due to the location of the deciduous teeth, the permanent teeth cannot erupt normally. Persistent deciduous teeth often lead to malocclusion. The resultant malocclusion may subsequently cause trauma to opposing teeth or oral soft tissues. Persistent deciduous teeth also cause overcrowding which may result in serious periodontal disease.
Extraction via Oral Surgery is the treatment for persistent deciduous teeth
The dental x-ray to the right shows the deciduous as well as the permanent canine teeth.
Dental x-rays should always be taken prior to any surgical extraction. Dental x-rays allow examination of the deciduous as well as the permanent tooth providing a more thorough evaluation of potential problems during the surgical extraction.
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Fractured Carnassial Tooth that results in Apical Abscess
Small animals fracture their teeth many ways, from chewing on a cage door, crates or chain link fences. Hard chew toys, ice cubes, or cow hooves may also cause fractures. Auto accidents, aggressive protection training, and dogfights can also fracture a tooth.
All teeth are susceptible to fracture however; in the mature animal the canines are the most common followed by the maxillary 4th premolar and the incisors. In pups less than 6 months old, deciduous canines are the most common.
Just because an animal doesn't appear to be in pain does not mean damage and discomfort are not occurring. Often pets do not complain to us until severe infection has occurred. Animals experience extreme pain when the tooth fractures, as those of you know that have fractured a tooth. Eventually the pulp dies and the pain decreases until an abscess forms.
Animals show dental pain many ways:
- Chewing on one side
- Pawing at their mouth
- Dropping food while eating
- Drooling
- Shying away from being petted
- Refusing hard food or chew toys
Besides pain, infection can result from fractured teeth. Once the pulp is exposed bacteria in the mouth have access to the circulation and may cause damage to heart valves, kidneys and liver as well causing a painful abscess at the root. Even if the pulp is not exposed fracture of the enamel allows exposure of the dentin tubules, which communicate with the pulp, also a means of abscess formation.
Digital dental x-ray to the right shows apical abscess of the above carnassial tooth.
If a fracture is detected early, endodontic care can save the tooth. Veterinarians with advanced dentistry training such as Dr. Nossaman can perform root canals. If this treatment is not an option, the tooth must be extracted to relieve the pain and protect infection that will affect your precious friend's quality of life.
As you can see from the above left photo, there was nothing externally to indicate the severe apical (root) abscess on this tooth. Luckily, digital dental x-rays are always taken at Anasazi Animal Clinic which allows us to treat your special friend correctly, saving him from months of pain and even the systemic effects of oral infection.
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Dens invaginatus, an unexpected finding
This photo to the right depicts a dog appearing to have moderate periodontal disease. However, physical exam alone is not enough. Digital dental x-rays at Anasazi Animal Clinic tell the true story of severe periodontal disease as well as the large apical (root) abscess in this tooth. This abscess was caused by a developmental condition known as Dens invaginatus.
Dens invaginatus arises as the result of invagination of enamel on the crown of a tooth before it becomes calcified. This is most commonly seen in the first molar tooth of the dog. This invagination allows bacteria into the pulpal tissue causing necrosis and tooth abscess.
Endodontic treatment may be an option but is technically difficult and requires a crown restoration. The alternative treatment is surgical extraction. Both treatments relieve the suffering caused by the chronic pain and effects of chronic infection.
The x-ray to the right shows the root abscess resulting from disruption of the pulp by the invaginated enamel.
Dental radiography is essential in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Had x-rays not been taken this condition would have surely been overlooked and the patient would have suffered many more months of discomfort and harmful effects to their health.
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Malocclusion
Malocclusion refers to abnormal tooth alignment. The most common malocclusions seen in veterinary medicine are:
- Overbite - maxilla is longer than the mandible. This bite is never considered normal in any breed and is considered a genetic fault.
- Under bite - the maxilla is shorter than the mandible. Some short muzzled breeds normally have an under bite.
- Wry bite - when one side of the jaw grows more than the other. This may lead to abnormal wear or even penetration of the palate or mandible.
- Base narrow canines - mandibular canines protrude inward and contact the palate. May lead to infection or even penetration of the palate. Potentially very painful.
Rotated teeth - occurs in short muzzled breeds, common in the maxillary premolars. If boney support is inadequate, may lead to infection and periodontal disease.- Rostral displacement of canines - upper canines teeth point towards the nose instead of down or upward. Commonly called lance or spear canines.
All of these conditions can cause damage to your pet's teeth, injury to the palate or mandible, resulting in chronic pain and or infection.
Detected early, interceptive orthodontics may include:
Extraction of deciduous teeth. This oral surgery may allow normal jaw growth and the possibility that the permanent teeth will erupt in a normal occlusion.- Crown reduction (reducing the height of a tooth) - prevents penetration of a maloccluded tooth into the palate or the mandible. This procedure can also reduce attrition or abnormal wear when teeth are rubbing on other teeth.
- Orthodontic movement of teeth by wires and elastics, similar to orthodontics performed in humans.
The digital x-ray to the right shows the permanent teeth located to the inside of the deciduous teeth. Oral surgery extraction of the deciduous teeth may allow normal eruption of the permanent teeth, thus correcting the malocclusion.
Thus, with early detection and treatment you can protect your precious friend from lifelong discomfort and infection caused by genetic and dental malocclusion.