ARE DENTAL RADIOGRAPHS REALLY NECESSARY?
Intra-oral x-rays (radiographs) are a standard in human dentistry. Recently they have become an essential tool in the maintenance of our pets oral health. Each dental patient will benefit from oral charting and radiographs. These allow us to obtain a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan allowing the necessary therapy to be performed during the pet’s anesthetic procedure. Radiographs serve as a medical record of the patient’s dental disease and are shared with you. This way you can better understand the state of your pet’s dental disease, the need for the treatment performed, and the importance of follow-up visits or home care programs. Dental x-rays show the inside of the tooth and root. These radiographs are important because much of tooth pathology lies below the gum line and is not obvious on physical inspection alone. The only way to evaluate the root structure, the inside of the tooth and the supportive bone is to take radiographs. Many treatment decisions are based on these r
