Finding a hidden tooth abscess with dental x-rays
on a regular preventative cleaning
|
Paige, the beagle, came in for one of her regular, preventative oral exams and cleanings. Oral x-rays revealed problems that not only meant that Paige was in pain and hiding it well, but also put her at risk of damage to her organs from infection from the mouth. Below, the big tooth is the normal first molar on the left side of the lower jaw. The red arrow points to early bone loss in the second molar.
A little bone loss can lead to advanced disease very quickly
|
Periapical abscesses and severe bone loss
|
Below is a photo of the tooth in the x-ray above. The only clue to anything being wrong is the tiny red dot where the abscess has been draining, but 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 have not gotten proper treatment. Interestingly, this dog was not showing any signs of discomfort. This was discovered on a routine cleaning with x-rays.
What is that little bitty red dot?
|
|
|