Why is dental radiography essential?
Dental care plays a major role in overall health and quality of life, but only a small portion of the teeth are visible.
In a lot of cases, early signs of dental disease are situated below the gum line, and if detected quickly it can significantly improve patient outcomes when it comes to common dental diseases.
This has clear benefits in terms of treatment costs and the overall impact of dental disease on pets. Indicating the importance of dental radiography and overall pet health.
With this positioning aid our aim is for you to get the very best out of your dental radiographs.
Download a printable PDF guide here.
Maxillary Caudal Molars
- Read the angles from the protractor on the x-ray tube head.
- Place the patient in Sternal recumbency, head slightly elevated, maxilla parallel to the table.
- Position the plate in the mouth as parallel to the palate as possible.
- Place the molars on the edge of the plate.
Maxillary 4TH Premolar
- Place the patient in Sternal recumbency, head slightly elevated, maxilla parallel to the table.
- Position the plate in the mouth as parallel to the palate as possible.
- Place the premolar on the edge of the plate.
- Aim the tube head at the tooth and tilt at a 50° angle to the plate.
Maxillary 4th Premolar Rostral TubeShift (Separate Roots)
- Place the patient in Sternal recumbency, head slightly elevated, maxilla parallel to the table.
- Position the plate in the mouth as parallel to the palate as possible.
- Place the premolars on the edge of the plate.
- Aim the tube head at the tooth and tilt at a 50° angle to the plate.
- Shift the tube head slightly rostrally and angled 30° distally (30° is the same angle as your first two fingers held in a ‘peace’ sign)
Maxillary Premolars
- Place the patient in Sternal recumbency, head slightly elevated, maxilla parallel to the table.
- Position the plate in the mouth as parallel to the palate as possible.
- Place the premolars on the edge of the plate.
- Aim the tube head of the arch to be radiographed and tilt at a 45° angle to the plate.
Maxillary Incisors
- Place the patient in Sternal recumbency, head slightly elevated, maxilla parallel to the table.
- Position the plate in the mouth as parallel to the palate as possible.
- Place the incisors on the edge of the plate.
- Aim the tube head at the teeth and tilt at a 45° angle to the plate.
Maxillary Canines (Oblique Angle)
- Place the patient in Sternal recumbency, head slightly elevated, maxilla parallel to the table.
- Position the plate on the patients’ palate
- Ensure the plate is covering the 2nd maxillary premolar to visualise the apex of the canine.
- Aim the tube head at the tooth at a 70° angle to the plate AND 20° laterally to the sagittal plate.
Mandibular Molars (Lateral Parallel Technique)
- Place the patient in lateral or dorsal recumbency.
- Teeth to be imaged should be placed face up.
- Place the plate parallel to the teeth and tooth roots on the lingual surface of the mandible/teeth.
- Angle the tube head perpendicular to the plate and teeth.
Mandibular Premolars
- Place the patient in dorsal recumbency.
- Fully extend the head and place a rolled towel under the neck to keep the mandible parallel to the table.
- Position the plate as parallel as possible to the mandible
- Place the premolars on the edge of the plate.
- Aim the tube head at the teeth and tilt at a 45° angle to the plate.
Mandibular Incisors and Canines
- Place the patient in dorsal recumbency.
- With their head fully extended, place a rolled towel under the neck to keep the mandible parallel to the table.
- Position the plate as parallel as possible to the mandible
- Place the teeth on the edge of the plate – ensure the plate is covering the 2nd mandibular premolar to visualise the apex of the canine.
- Aim the tube head at the teeth at a 70° angle to the plate.
In small to medium breeds only 1 view is needed to view the canines and incisors. In larger breeds they will need to be images separately (placing the plate and tube head more caudally).
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