Clinical Technique: Normal Dental Radiography of Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, and Chinchillas

Abstract

Because of their size and oral anatomy, it is intrinsically difficult to perform a thorough oral examination on rabbits and rodents. Furthermore, most of the dental structure (the “reserve crown” of hypsodont teeth) remains hidden to clinical inspection. The clinical crown, visible above the gingival margin, corresponds to a small portion of the tooth. Also, supporting bone and periapical structures should always be evaluated when looking for signs of dental disease. Therefore, diagnostic imaging modalities acquire particular importance in the evaluation of teeth and surrounding structures. They may permit early diagnosis, which allows early intervention, ultimately improving the patient's prognosis. Conventional radiography in particular can provide notable information to complement the clinical examination. A complete radiographic study should include extraoral laterolateral, right-to-left and left-to-right latero-oblique, dorsoventral (or ventrodorsal), and rostrocaudal head views, as well as intraoral views. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can also be useful but are relatively expensive and not always readily available. Radiographic equipment and techniques, and normal radiographic dental anatomy of rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas, are reviewed and described.

Key words: radiology, rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, teeth, skull