Finding a hidden tooth abscess with dental x-rays
on a regular preventative cleaning
A little bone loss can lead to advanced disease very quickly!
Paige, a beagle, came in for one of her regular, preventative oral exams and cleanings. Dental x-rays revealed problems that not only meant that Paige was in pain and hiding it well, but also that put her at risk of organ damage from infection in the mouth. Below, the big tooth is the normal 1st molar on the left side of her lower jaw. The red arrow points to early bone loss in the second molar.
|
Periapical abscesses and severe bone loss (red arrows).
Above is the same 1st molar, but on the right side of her lower jaw. The red arrows point to advanced periodontal disease, bone loss, and abscess.
|
What is that little bitty red dot?
Below is a photo of the outside of the tooth in the previous x-ray. The only clue to anything being wrong is the tiny red dot where the abscess has been draining. Most problems show no outward signs at all, even to a qualified veterinarian. Without x-rays, the severity of disease in this painful tooth abscess would not have gotten proper treatment.
Interestingly, this dog was not showing any signs of discomfort. This problem was discovered on a routine cleaning with x-rays. |
|
Abscessed pet teeth video (<5min)
|