Performing intraoral radiological examinations on our dogs and cats is important to carry out a correct diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases. Radiographs allow us to explore internal structures of the oral cavity such as dental roots or jaw bones that would otherwise not be visible.
Radiographs in cats and dogs are performed with the aid of anesthesia to prevent patient movement from hindering the acquisition of correct images. It is a simple and painless process, but since it requires anesthesia, the veterinarian will request blood tests and chest X-rays to check that there are no pathologies incompatible with anesthesia.
Efficacy
Dogs and cats do not have a way of communicating to us if they have suffered any injury in the oral cavity, as humans do. The pain caused by a dental pathology can severely disturb the quality of life of our pets, and on many occasions, perceiving abnormal behavior derived from pain can be complicated or take too long. This is why oral radiology is presented as an effective alternative to improve care and attention in veterinary dentistry.
As a consequence of poor hygiene, excessive plaque formation in the oral cavity can lead to inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis is easily treated and is an initial phase of infection that is not alarming; the problem arises when it progresses. The gums may still appear red and inflamed, but this is a much more serious condition that is affecting the dental area hidden by soft tissue and that can only be examined with radiographs.
It is estimated that between 70% and 80% of cats and dogs will suffer from periodontal disease at some point in their lives. X-rays allow the monitoring of periodontitis and determine if the process is associated with pain, as happens when bacterial infections spread, affecting periodontal tissues such as the alveolar bone and the periodontal ligament.
The appearance of periodontal pockets can be difficult to detect, so radiographs are essential, especially in small or toy breeds of dogs, since if periodontitis progresses severely, it can lead to bone and supporting tissue loss around the teeth. In these dogs, the disease could even cause a mandibular fracture, oronasal fistulas, or eye conditions.
Radiographs are also important for the early detection of resorptive lesions in dogs and especially in cats, where the pathology is very recurrent.
Dental radiological examination is a very valuable technique in veterinary dentistry. The advantages it offers are numerous, and the most notable is that its acquisition allows monitoring and early diagnosis of dental pathologies, consequently improving the prognosis and facilitating treatment.
