Dental X-rays in pets

Why Dental X-Rays are important for your pet

Your pet’s teeth may look healthy on the outside, but that does not always tell the full story. Just like people, dogs and cats can have dental problems hiding below the gumline where they cannot be seen during a routine visual check.

Pets are very good at hiding pain. A tooth can look normal on the surface while infection, bone loss, tooth root damage or painful disease is developing underneath. Dental X-rays, also called dental radiographs, help your veterinarian see the parts of the tooth that are hidden from view, including the roots, surrounding bone and deeper structures in the jaw. Taking dental X-rays helps us find these issues earlier, recommend the best treatment and avoid leaving painful disease undetected.

When might your pet need dental X-rays?

Your veterinarian may recommend dental X-rays as part of a comprehensive dental health assessment, especially if your pet has bad breath, inflamed gums, missing or broken teeth, mouth pain, a history of dental disease, or is having a professional dental clean. Dental x-rays are particularly valuable for cats, senior pets, and any patient where hidden disease is suspected. We recommend a dental x-ray as a proactive and preventative measure every 1-2 years. Your veterinarian will discuss with you how often is best for your pet.

Why we recommend X-rays during dental procedures

The full extent of dental disease can be very easy to miss without imaging. X-rays allow your vet to identify problems that are not visible to the eye, including bone loss, root infections, retained roots, tooth fractures and feline tooth resorption.

Dental X-rays give your veterinary team the information they need to make a confident diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment for your pet. For example, they can show whether a tooth is healthy or diseased, whether it needs to be removed, how much bone is supporting it, and whether there are root changes that could make an extraction more complex.

In many cases, X-rays explain why a pet has bad breath, difficulty chewing, inflamed gums, or changes in behaviour, even when the mouth appears normal at first glance.

Dental x-rays are also valuable after extractions, as they allow us to confirm that diseased roots or fragments have not been left behind. This supports safer procedures, better healing and a more comfortable outcome for your pet.

Why can’t my vet just look inside my pet’s mouth?

Pets may not allow a detailed examination when they are awake, or if they do, a conscious oral check only shows part of the picture. A large part of each tooth sits below the gumline. This means a tooth can look clean or only mildly affected on the surface while still being painful, infected, fractured or weakened underneath.

Many pets continue eating and behaving normally even when they have significant disease below the gumline. In some cases, dental X-rays are the only way to find the true cause of discomfort.

Why are dental X-rays performed under anaesthesia?

Dental X-rays require very accurate positioning of a small sensor inside your pet’s mouth. Your pet needs to remain completely still so the images are clear and useful. Images may need to be captured from several angles to build an accurate picture of your pet’s mouth. Anaesthesia allows your veterinary team to examine every tooth properly, take accurate images, scale and polish the teeth, and provide treatment in a safe, controlled, and humane way. Before anaesthesia, your pet will have a physical exam to determine if there are any other underlying health issues that need to be considered. Pre-anaesthetic blood tests are also recommended to check the function of internal organs. During the procedure, your pet will be carefully monitored by our dedicated team.

Learn more about dental procedures here: https://www.animatesvetcare.co.nz/services/dentistry

Are dental X-rays safe?

Yes. Modern veterinary dental X-rays use a very low level of radiation. The process is quick, non-invasive, and performed by trained veterinary professionals. The benefit of identifying hidden dental disease early far outweighs the minimal risk involved.

What can dental X-rays reveal?

• Tooth root infections or abscesses
• Bone loss around the teeth caused by periodontal disease
• Fractured teeth or damaged roots hidden below the gum line
• Missing teeth that may have retained roots
• Whether a tooth is healthy enough to remain in place
• Tooth resorption, especially in cats, where the tooth structure is gradually broken down
• Retained baby teeth, retained roots or unerupted adult teeth
• Cysts, jawbone changes or areas of concern that need further assessment

Common problems dental X-rays help identify

Periodontal disease: This is one of the most common dental problems in dogs and cats. Periodontal disease damages the gum, bone and supporting structures around the teeth. X-rays help us see how advanced the disease is below the gum line, even before a tooth becomes obviously loose.

Tooth resorption: This painful condition is especially common in cats. The outside of the tooth may look normal, while it is being broken down underneath the gum. X-rays are needed to confirm the problem and decide on the correct treatment.

Tooth root infections and abscesses: Infection can develop around the root of a tooth without obvious signs in the mouth. Dental X-rays can reveal these painful problems so they can be treated properly.

Fractured or worn teeth: A chip, crack or worn tooth may appear minor, but the inside of the tooth can be exposed or infected. X-rays help determine the best treatment option.

Missing teeth: Sometimes a tooth is truly absent, but other times it may be trapped under the gum, broken below the surface or a retained root may have been left behind. X-rays tell us which is the case and whether treatment is needed.

A healthier mouth goes deeper than what we can see

Including dental X-rays as part of a full dental procedure gives us a much clearer picture of your pet’s dental health. They help us detect hidden disease, damage and pain, determine the best treatment path so we can make more informed decisions for your pet’s comfort and long-term wellbeing.

Contact your Animates Vetcare veterinary team to get your pet’s dental health assessed and help keep your pet healthy, comfortable and pain-free.