Companion Animals

Cat Dental Radiography and Hidden Disease

Dental radiography reveals disease below the gumline invisible to visual examination; studies show 27-42% of feline dental abnormalities are only visible on X-ray, making it essential for welfare.

Key Facts

Studies show up to 42% of dental pathology in cats is detected only by radiography
Tooth resorption lesions (FORLs) are particularly under-diagnosed without radiography
Cats with radiographically diagnosed disease in apparently normal teeth show behavioral evidence of pain
Digital dental radiography takes only minutes and is performed under the anesthesia required for cleaning
Standard dental cleaning without radiography misses substantial welfare-relevant disease

Welfare Considerations

Performing a dental cleaning on a cat without taking dental X-rays is like treating a patient for gum disease without examining what is happening under the gums. Cats with painful tooth resorption in radiographically abnormal but visually normal teeth suffer unnecessarily when those teeth are not extracted. Dental radiography is not a luxury but a welfare necessity in feline dental care.

What You Can Do

Specifically ask whether dental radiography is included when scheduling your cat's dental procedure
Choose a veterinary practice that routinely includes dental radiography in all feline dental procedures
Ask to see the radiographs and discuss the findings with your vet after your cat's procedure
Support the AVDC position that dental radiography should be standard in veterinary dental care