Why do pets need dental X-rays?

What a dental X-ray shows

A dental X-ray lets me see what is physically out of reach in an examination: the roots of the teeth, the pulp chambers, the level of bony support, root fractures, abscesses, root remnants left after earlier extractions, bone defects and tooth resorption (TR) in cats.

In dogs I regularly find root infections in teeth that look only slightly darkened from outside. In cats, X-rays are indispensable for diagnosing TR — resorption that often begins below the gumline and progresses inside the tooth.

• The condition of the roots and pulp chamber of every tooth
• The level of bony support and the depth of periodontal pockets
• Hidden fractures, cracks and infections
• Tooth resorption (TR) in cats — stage and type
• Root remnants and bone damage after injuries

When an X-ray is essential

In any dental treatment under anaesthesia — as part of the COHAT protocol — full-mouth dental radiography is the standard. I take a set of images to assess all the teeth systematically, not only those that look “suspicious” from outside.

An X-ray is also needed separately when there are symptoms — pain, swelling, a darkened tooth, bleeding — but the external examination gives no answer. It is also needed before deciding whether to keep a broken tooth, treat the canals or extract: without an image the conclusion will be approximate.

Typical “hidden” findings on X-rays

The most common surprises on images: loss of bony support around a tooth that looks “normal” from outside; a root fracture with no visible chip of the crown; infection at the root tip with an abscess; TR at a stage when the tooth still looks intact; a root remnant after an incomplete extraction.

Without X-rays these problems stay undetected — the animal goes on living with chronic pain, and the owner cannot understand why the symptoms do not disappear after “cleaning”.

Why a pet may keep eating even when the X-ray shows disease

I regularly see marked damage on images in animals that keep eating. Dogs and cats adapt: they chew on one side, choose soft food, swallow quickly. This does not mean there is no pain — it means that an external examination and behaviour do not reflect the real condition.

That is why I insist on a full set of images, not a “spot” X-ray of a single tooth. The disease is often multiple.

Safety of dental images

Modern dental X-ray equipment for animals gives a minimal radiation dose — much lower than many medical investigations. The images are taken under anaesthesia while the animal is still, which ensures image quality and reduces the need for repeat images.

If an owner is worried about radiation, I explain that the risk from an untreated root infection or progressing periodontitis considerably outweighs the risk from dental images.

What the owner should do

If you have been offered a dental procedure, ask whether dental X-rays are part of the protocol. If you are told X-rays are not needed “to save money”, that is a reason to discuss how complete the diagnosis will be.

At the consultation I explain which images I plan and how they will affect the treatment plan. After the procedure you receive the images in your report — a document you can come back to at future check-ups.

Frequently asked questions