There are many advantages of taking dental radiographs (or x-rays)!  Here are a few!

• Viewing pathology below the gingiva and inside the tooth documenting the presence of lesions to support treatment decisions.
• Evaluating an area where the teeth are not clinically apparent for root fragments.
• Determining the cause of chronic nasal discharge.
• Evaluating tooth vitality
• Evaluating the number of permanent teeth present in a puppy or kitten as part of a detailed soundness examination before the secondary teeth erupt. Some breeds must have a minimum number of teeth to be accepted in the show ring.
• Anatomical orientation and documentation of root structure before extraction.
• Evaluation after extraction to confirm all root fragments were removed.
• Pre-operative evaluation of gross tumor margins to help plan surgery.
• Treatment planning evaluation when periodontal disease is present (gingival bleeding on probing, tooth mobility, gingival recession, furcation exposure, increased probing depths).
• Evaluating feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORLs).
• Evaluating jaw fractures.
• Evaluating oral and facial swellings.
• Evaluating pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative endodontic treatment.