Oral Care
Lexington Animal Clinic provides in-house, state-of-the-art dental radiography. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommend that all pets receive annual dental radiographs. According to AAHA, “Dental radiographs are necessary for accurate evaluation and diagnosis of dental disease. In one published report, intraoral radiographs revealed clinically important pathology in 27.8% of dogs and 41.7% of cats when no abnormal findings were noted on the initial examination. In patients with abnormal findings, radiography revealed additional pathology in 50% of dogs and 53.9% of cats.” A dental cleaning should always include dental X-rays. Without dental radiography, a complete evaluation of your pet’s mouth is not possible.
The image on the right is an actual patient that came in for a dental cleaning. The picture was taken after the teeth were cleaned and polished. If you look at his teeth, you can visually see no abnormal pathology.
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC®) is a panel of veterinary dentist and veterinarians who are interested in promoting dental health. The VOHC is recognized worldwide. They exist to promote products that meet pre-standards in plaque and tartar reduction in dogs and cats. The VOHC seal will be present on products that have met these pre-qualifications.
For a list of products that are VOHC-approved, please visit the VOHC website at http://vohc.org.
This intra-oral radiograph was taken as part of a complete dental evaluation. Notice the horizontal bone loss around tooth number 405 and 406. This is a prime example of why dental imaging is needed for proper oral evaluation. Missing this pathology would have resulted in pain and suffering for the pet.
