If you visit the dentist for your biannual checkup, dentists will guide you to the X-ray section, where photos of your entire mouth are taken. Don’t be afraid, as this is often a crucial aspect of checking your dental health. However, Pets are not so lucky. Not every vet clinic offers full-mouth dental X-rays.
Dental X-rays show images of your pet’s teeth and oral cavity made under anesthesia using a tiny X-ray machine and a film or a tiny digital sensor put inside the mouth. Many dental X-rays are digital, allowing the veterinarian to view the images on a computer. Digital X-rays provide a superior quality image and greater detail than traditional film and take much less time processing.
A precise image is needed to diagnose the issue and requires your pet’s attention and careful placement. Animals should be under general anesthesia to undergo dental X-rays and cleaning to get satisfactory results.
Periodontal Diseases
Veterinarians aren’t able to detect all of your pet’s periodontal diseases without using dental X-rays. Remember that 60 percent of every tooth is below the gum line giving plenty of space for diseases, infections, or injury. The following conditions can be identified as periodontal issues using full-mouth dental X-rays and a thorough oral examination when your pet is sedated.
Resorptive Lesions
Resorptive lesions are a common feline dental issue that can also affect canines. Dental X-rays, a thorough oral examination, or an examination called a “chatter” exam are frequently utilized to identify painful erosions of enamel.
Because their sensitive pulps are exposed, cats display an excellent chatter response. Although many resorptive lesions present as pink patches on the tooth surface, other lesions damage the tooth below the gum line, making it difficult to diagnose without X-rays. Enroll your pet in a puppy wellness plan as soon as possible.
Tooth Abscesses
A bacteria-laden tooth-root abscess may form if your pet does not receive regular preventative treatments to maintain their gums and teeth healthy. As tartar build-up and the bacteria in it can invade the oral cavity, get past the gumline, and attack the tooth root. A painful abscess can result from an infection, which could affect the gums, teeth roots, and gum tissue.
The treatment may be complicated if the infection has developed to the jawbone since skeletal disorders are more difficult to cure. A veterinarian can determine the degree of the abscess and the surrounding infection by using dental X-rays. This enables doctors to prescribe medications.
Fractured Teeth
In the case of masking the discomfort of their owners, dogs are experts at it, even when they suffer from a broken tooth. It is possible to think that a tooth fracture would be evident, but your pet may rip off the cap of the tooth, leaving the roots in place and permitting gum tissue to heal over the damaged area without even crying. Your veterinarian may never uncover the damaged tooth and remaining roots, which could cause the tooth to become infected if we don’t employ dental X-rays. Visit your veterinarian for a cat dental cleaning.
Oral Tumors
Unfortunately, oral tumors in cats and dogs are prevalent, and they can affect the dental tissue, gums, and jawbone. Some oral cancers are rapidly growing and are challenging to treat, inflicting damage to bone and gum; some are slow-growing and less difficult to treat. If your pet has an oral mass, the vet may suggest a biopsy to determine the source, and full-mouth dental X-rays reveal any bone defects and the totality of damage the tumor has caused. Visit a veterinary clinic for a dog checkup.
