J Vet Sci.  2020 Sep;21(5):e75. 10.4142/jvs.2020.21.e75.

Comparison of dental radiography and computed tomography: measurement of dentoalveolar structures in healthy, small-sized dogs and cats

• Lee S
• Lee K
• Kim H
• An J
• Han J
• Lee T
• Jeong H
• Cho Y

• KMID: 2507282
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2020.21.e75

Abstract

Background
Dental diseases are common in dogs and cats, and accurate measurements of dentoalveolar structure are important for planning of treatment. The information that the comparison computed tomography (CT) with dental radiography (DTR) is not yet reported in veterinary medicine.
Objectives
The purpose of this study was to compare the DTR with CT of dentoalveolar structures in healthy dogs and cats, and to evaluate the CT images of 2 different slice thicknesses (0.5 and 1.0 mm).
Methods
We included 6 dogs (2 Maltese and 1 Spitz, Beagle, Pomeranian, mixed, 1 to 8 years, 4 castrated males, and 2 spayed female) and 6 cats (6 domestic short hair, 8 months to 3 years, 4 castrated male, and 2 spayed female) in this study. We measured the pulp cavity to tooth width ratio (P/T ratio) and periodontal space of maxillary and mandibular canine teeth, maxillary fourth premolar, mandibular first molar, maxillary third premolar and mandibular fourth premolar.
Results
P/T ratio and periodontal space in the overall dentition of both dogs and cats were smaller in DTR compared to CT. In addition, CT images at 1.0 mm slice thickness was generally measured to be greater than the images at 0.5 mm slice thickness.
Conclusions
The results indicate that CT with thin slice thickness provides more accurate information on the dentoalveolar structures. Additional DTR, therefore, may not be required for evaluating dental structure in small-sized dogs and cats.

Keyword

Dental radiography; multi-detector computed tomography; pulp cavity; periodontal space