Full-mouth Dental Radiograph
Requirement – Dog and Cat
Radiographs of good quality are critically important for the diagnosis and treatment of oral
diseases. The requirement to submit radiograph sets is to ensure that applicants have the skill to
produce good quality diagnostic radiographs in a consistent manner. The required views are
commonly used for diagnostic purposes. Applicants to the European Veterinary Dental College
(EVDC) are required to provide full mouth dental radiographs obtained by the applicant for both
a cat and a dog.
The radiograph sets may be submitted during a training program for pre-approval, or submitted at
the same time as a credentials application. In either case, review is anonymous.
Anaesthetized Patient or Cadaver?
Anaesthesia of live animals must not be prolonged beyond the stage of having obtained
diagnostic radiographs in order to obtain additional and/or better images for submission to the
College*. It is therefore acceptable to obtain radiographic sets using an intact cadaver, providing
it simulates a normally anaesthetised animal, (complete head, with all skin and other soft-tissue
intact, and with an endotracheal tube placed. (* To prolong anaesthesia for the purpose of this
exercise is unethical and in some countries illegal. As such, doing so would disbar an applicant
from admission to the College. Use of a cadaver eliminates the ethical issues in cases where it
has not been possible to obtain an appropriate set for submission during normal clinical work.)
General Requirements and Recommendations
The animal used must be adult (root apices closed) and have full normal permanent dentition
with no significant dental or jaw pathology. When practical, select a 3 to 4 year old animal with
normal mesaticephalic anatomy. Do not waste time by trying to use a brachycephalic animal - it is
very unlikely that you will be able to adequately isolate some of the teeth.
It is recommended to choose 3 to 4 year old animals with normal mesaticephalic anatomy from
which to obtain both the dental and TMJ radiographs.
Do not waste time by trying to obtain a dental radiograph series from a brachycephalic animal. It is
very unlikely that you will be able to adequately isolate some teeth so the series will not be approved.
Exceptions to the ‘full dentition’ requirement:
Dog: Canine dental radiograph sets will not be penalised for the presence of supernumerary teeth
that do not interfere with interpretation of images. All teeth present must be adequately
visualised on at least one image. If the first premolar teeth or mandibular third molar teeth are
absent in the dog, the affected areas must be clearly shown on at least one film. In the case of
missing third molar teeth the radiograph should show an area extending at least 3 mm caudal to
the expected location of the absent tooth.
Cat: Feline dental radiograph sets will not be penalised if first and second incisor teeth are
absent.
Specific Requirements
1. The Full-mouth Dental Radiograph Set must show the entire dentition of the animal.
2. For each tooth, the entire crown, all root structure and sufficient surrounding tissue (at
least 3 mm of the tissues adjacent to each root) must be clearly shown on at least one of
the submitted images.
3. Where there is superimposition of other structures over part of the primary image, a
second radiograph of the relevant part of the tooth may be submitted to show that area
clearly.
4. Note that to fulfil the requirement of having a whole tooth appropriately imaged in a
single view requires the use of suitably sized film when imaging larger teeth. Size 2 film
and sensors are not suitable for imaging large canine and carnassial teeth.
5. Whenever possible, several adjacent teeth should appear on each image. It is strongly
advised to minimise the number of exposures/images required. This is good radiographic
practice and it simplifies both document production and assessment.
6. Imaging of all roots in multirooted teeth may require more than one radiographic view of
that tooth. Such additional images will not be penalised if only part of a tooth is visible,
but there must be the appropriate 3 mm minimum visible adjacent tissue. It is accepted
that clear imaging of all roots of maxillary molar teeth is not always possible. If multiple
views are submitted it is important that the additional image/s is/are clearly labelled with
the Modified Triadan identification of the tooth and root to be assessed.
Films and Sensors, Positioning Aids
All references to “film” in this document should be read as “film or other sensor”.
• It is recommended to use as large a film/sensor size as possible to include several teeth in each
image and ensure that the entirety of the teeth being examined and all necessary surrounding
detail can be included in the image.
• Films should be kept flat for all views. Curvature results in image distortion.
• It helps to lay the films on a tongue depressor or other flat surface to prevent bending of the
film, or you can sandwich the film between two thin sheets of rigid plastic (e.g. pieces cut from
a rigid CD case)
• Paper towel, sponges, sandbags and other positioning aids will be required to maintain animals
and films in position for some views.
The Set Must be the Work of the Resident
A full-mouth dental radiograph set must have been obtained by the resident in one continuous
session and from one animal, without receiving assistance from anyone else, i.e. the resident
must position the head and x-ray beam, set the exposure and perform any post-exposure digital
processing of images him- or herself. The resident must organize, lay out, label and otherwise
prepare the "mounted set document" for submission him- or herself.
Exception: The physical processes of developing and photographing conventional (wet) films,
plus the conversion of digital photographs of films to an appropriate resolution, may be
performed by someone other than the trainee.
Radiographs that are correctly positioned but of poor exposure or with other technical defects
sufficient to impair diagnostic assessment will not be approved.
Standard Dental Views of the Dog
The positioning, exposure, and processing of images must all be appropriate to provide a
diagnostically acceptable image. When left and right views are required, these should ideally be
near mirror images if the anatomy is bilaterally symmetrical.
The descriptions below are based on having the animal or head in sternal recumbency for imaging
the maxillary dentition and dorsal recumbency for imaging the mandibular dentition. If lateral
recumbency is preferred, the techniques can be modified accordingly.
Maxillary Dentition
Position the dog in sternal recumbency, with a sandbag under the chin supporting the head. For each
view, adjust the position so that the hard palate is maintained in a horizontal plane. In practice, it is
not essential to maintain the palate in the horizontal plane; however, this helps to avoid any rotation
of the head to left or right
1. Rostro-caudal bisecting angle view of the maxillary incisor teeth, including the canine teeth.
This view provides a slightly magnified anatomically accurate representation of the incisor tooth
roots. The incisor tooth crowns will be slightly foreshortened. The canine teeth will not be
ideally represented due to their different root angulations compared with the incisor teeth and due
to superimposition of other teeth over the images of their roots. The canine teeth must be fully
included in this view but will not be otherwise assessed. Clinically it is necessary to obtain
slightly oblique rostro-caudal views to assess the canine teeth accurately but those views are not
required in a radiograph set submitted to fulfil EVDC credentials requirements.
a. Open the mouth and place a suitably sized film between the crowns of the canine teeth.
b. Both maxillary canine crown tips should be touching the film with the majority of the film
extending symmetrically into the oral cavity whilst ensuring that enough of the film projects
rostrally to capture the entire lengths of the incisor teeth.
c. If one canine tooth is shorter than the other, use a radiolucent positioning aid to pack up the
shorter crown until it approximates the height of the longer crown.
d. Looking from lateral (either left or right as convenient), visualise an angle between the long
axis of the incisor teeth and the plane of the film.
e. Bisect that angle with an imaginary line.
f. Bring the cone of the x-ray machine as close as possible to the maxilla dorsally, with the
central beam aligned with the mid sagital plane of the dog.
g. Keeping the central beam aimed at the midline, rotate the head of the x-ray machine in the
sagital plane until the central x-ray beam is directed perpendicular to the imaginary line
bisecting the tooth/film angle. If the end of the cone of the x-ray machine is perpendicular to
the central x-ray beam, the end of the cone will be parallel to and close to the bisecting line.
h. The central beam should remain aligned with the midline of the dog.
i. The teeth to be imaged need to fall, and be centred, within the circumference of the cone,
with >=3mm of surrounding tissue also included to permit detection of adjacent pathology.
2. Lateral bisecting angle views of the maxillary canine and rostral premolar teeth.
This is a true orthogonal lateral projection of the canine tooth. The x-ray beam is in the transverse
plane of the head; this is not an oblique view. However, the apex must be clearly visible with >=3
mm around the apex with no significant superimpositions with other structures (teeth, mandibular
cortex, vomer etc.), so, where this is not achieved with a straight lateral view, a lateral oblique
view should be used. If the premolars are not correctly represented on the canine view then an
additional film should be included in the set to show them. The third incisor tooth may be better
represented on this view than on the previous view.
a. Open the mouth and place a suitably sized film between the crowns of the canine teeth
rostrally and the crowns of the premolar teeth caudally, so that the film is nearly parallel to
the hard palate.
b. Both maxillary canine crown tips should be touching the film, with that of the tooth that is
being imaged near the corner of the film and with the majority of the film extending caudally
into the oral cavity.
c. If one canine tooth is shorter than the other, use a radiolucent positioning aid to pack up the
shorter crown until it approximates the height of the longer crown.
d. Looking rostro-caudally into the oral cavity, visualise the angle between the long axis of the
maxillary canine tooth and the plane of the film.
e. Bisect that angle with an imaginary line.
f. Bring the cone of the x-ray machine as close as possible to the maxilla, directing the central
x-ray beam horizontally, perpendicular to the sagittal plane of the head.
g. Keeping the central beam in the transverse plane, rotate the x-ray head until the central x-ray
beam is perpendicular to the imaginary bisecting line. If the end of the cone of the x-ray
machine is perpendicular to the central x-ray beam, the end of the cone will be parallel to
and close to the bisecting line.
h. The canine tooth needs to fall within the circumference of the cone, with >=3mm of
surrounding tissue also included to permit detection of adjacent pathology.
i. Note the positioning and beam angulation as these can be used as a guide when imaging the
opposite side.
3. Lateral bisecting angle view of the remaining premolars and molars. This view will not
isolate all tooth roots but will provide an anatomically accurate image of the fourth premolar.
a. Open the mouth and place a suitably sized film diagonally against the hard palate with the
cusp tip of the fourth premolar to be imaged touching the edge of the film and the majority
of the film in the oral cavity, ensuring that the film is caudal enough to be able to image
the second molar tooth.
b. Looking into the oral cavity from rostrally, visualise the angle between the long axis of the
fourth premolar tooth (which is typically similar to the angle of the canine tooth) and the
plane of the film.
c. Bisect that angle with an imaginary line.
d. Bring the cone of the x-ray machine as close as possible to the maxilla, directing the
central x-ray beam perpendicular to the sagittal plane of the head.
e. Keeping the central beam in the transverse plane, rotate the x-ray head until the central xray beam is perpendicular to the imaginary bisecting line. If the end of the cone of the xray machine is perpendicular to the central x-ray beam, the end of the cone will be
parallel to and close to the bisecting line.
f. The teeth to be imaged need to fall within the circumference of the cone, with >=3mm of
surrounding tissue also included to permit detection of adjacent pathology.
g. Note the positioning and beam angulation as these can be used as a guide when imaging
the opposite side.
4. Root separation view for the maxillary fourth premolar (and molars). Separating the
superimposed images of the root apices of the mesiobuccal and palatal roots of the maxillary
fourth premolar tooth requires an additional view.
a. Open the mouth and place a suitably sized film diagonally against the hard palate with
the cusp tip of the fourth premolar to be imaged touching the edge of the film and the
majority of the film in the oral cavity, ensuring that the film is caudal enough to be able
to image the second molar tooth.
b. Looking into the oral cavity from rostrally, visualise the angle between the long axis of
the fourth premolar tooth (which is typically similar to the angle of the canine tooth) and
the plane of the film.
c. Bisect that angle with an imaginary line.
d. Bring the cone of the x-ray machine as close as possible to the maxilla, directing the
central x-ray beam perpendicular to the sagittal plane of the head.
e. Rotate the x-ray head in the transverse plane to bring the central x-ray beam
perpendicular to the imaginary bisecting line. If the end of the cone of the x-ray machine
is perpendicular to the central x-ray beam, the end of the cone will be parallel to and
close to the bisecting line.
f. Now rotate the head of the x-ray machine in the horizontal plane to direct the central
beam at an angle caudally between the tooth roots. This is an oblique view.
g. The tooth roots to be imaged need to fall within the circumference of the cone, with
>=3mm of surrounding tissue also included to permit detection of adjacent pathology.
h. Obtain a test exposure and if unsatisfactory, adjust the beam angulation to compensate for
image elongation or lack of root separation and try again.
i. If caudal angulation does not provide adequate root separation then the beam can be
angled rostrally. This is generally not as convenient due to the shape of the head, and
requires an increased x-ray exposure to penetrate the increased amount of superimposed
tissue.
j. Note the positioning and beam angulation as these can be used as a guide when imaging
the opposite side.
5. Extra-oral lateral near-parallel view for the maxillary fourth premolar, molar one and two
(Only needed if adequate root separation cannot be achieved using the previous view). In
some animals, intra-oral film positioning is unsatisfactory for imaging the maxillary fourth
premolar and molar tooth roots. If this is the case, try a lateral view with extra-oral film
placement. For this view the animal is placed in lateral recumbency.
a. Place the dog in lateral recumbency with the side to be imaged down.
b. Place a mouth prop between the canine teeth to hold the mouth open.
c. With the nose horizontally aligned, rotate the head slightly so that the buccal tooth roots are
parallel to the film using a positioning aide to keep the head aligned.
d. Place a suitably sized film on the table beneath the head adjacent to the maxillary molar
teeth.
e. Bring the cone of the x-ray machine as close as possible to the opposite side of the head,
directing the central x-ray beam perpendicular to the film on the table.
f. Rotate the x-ray head to direct the central x-ray beam sufficiently dorso-caudally to avoid
superimposition of the contra-lateral dental arcade on the teeth to be imaged. This can be
checked by shining a light into the oral cavity from 20cm away and visualising the position of
shadows.
g. The teeth to be imaged need to fall within the circumference of the cone, with >=3mm of
surrounding tissue also included to permit detection of adjacent pathology.
h. If images of the apices of the fourth premolar are not sufficiently separated, angle the central
i.
beam more caudally.
Note the positioning and beam angulation as these can be used as a guide when imaging the
opposite side.
Mandibular Dentition
Position the dog in dorsal recumbency, with a sandbag under the neck if necessary to tilt the head
so that the plate is parallel to the table. In practise, it is not essential to maintain the palate in the
horizontal plane; however, it is advisable to help avoid any rotation of the head to left or right
6. Rostro-caudal bisecting angle view of the mandibular incisors and canine teeth. This view
provides reasonably anatomically accurate representations of the mandibular canine and incisor
tooth roots as the angles of the roots are normally similar. The tooth crowns will be foreshortened
to a variable degree. The canine tooth roots are usually clearly visualised without significant
superimposition of other structures and will be assessed when radiograph sets are reviewed. If the
canine roots are not clearly shown, additional oblique views should be obtained.
a. Open the mouth holding the tongue loosely against the mandibular incisor teeth and place a
suitably sized film between the crowns of the canine teeth. It is equally acceptable to fold the
tongue caudally out of the way, but film placement is not as easy if this is done.
b. Both canine crown tips should be touching the film, near the edge, with the majority of the
film extending symmetrically into the oral cavity.
c. If one canine tooth is shorter than the other, use a radiolucent positioning aid to pack up the
shorter crown until it approximates the height of the longer crown.
d. Looking from lateral (either left or right as convenient), visualise the angle between the
average of the long axes of the canine and incisor tooth roots and the film. Note that the
priority is accurate imaging of the tooth roots and their surrounding tissues.
e. That angle is bisected by an imaginary line.
f. The central beam should remain aligned with the mid sagital plane of the dog.
g. Bring the cone as close as possible to the mandible, directing the central x-ray beam
perpendicular to the imaginary bisecting line keeping the central x-ray beam directed along
the mid sagital plane. If the end of the cone of the x-ray machine is perpendicular to the
central x-ray beam, the end of the cone will be parallel to and close to the bisecting line.
h. The teeth to be imaged need to fall within and be centred within the circumference of the
cone, with >=3mm of surrounding tissue also included to permit detection of adjacent
pathology.
7. Lateral bisecting angle view of the mandibular canine teeth and rostral premolars. Note that
this is a true orthogonal projection of the canine tooth. This view will also image some of the
premolar teeth. The x-ray beam is in the transverse plane of the head; this is not an oblique view.
However, the canine tooth apices must be clearly visible with >=3 mm around the apex and no
significant superimpositions with other structures (mandibular symphysis, mental foramen etc.),
so, where this is not achieved with a straight lateral view, a lateral oblique view should be used.
If the premolars are not correctly represented on the canine view then an additional film should
be included in the set to show them.
a. Open the mouth holding the tongue loosely against the mandibular incisor teeth and place a
suitably sized film between the crowns of the canine teeth. It is equally acceptable to fold the
tongue caudally out of the way, but film placement is not as easy if this is done.
b. Both mandibular canine crown tips should be touching the film, with that of the tooth that is
being imaged near the corner of the film and with the majority of the film extending caudally
into the oral cavity.
c. If one canine tooth is shorter than the other, use a radiolucent positioning aid to pack up the
shorter crown until it approximates the height of the longer crown.
d. Looking into the oral cavity from rostrally, visualise the angle between the long axis of the
mandibular canine tooth and the plane of the film.
e. Bisect that angle with an imaginary line.
f. Bring the cone of the x-ray machine as close as possible to the mandible, directing the central
x-ray beam horizontally, perpendicular to the sagital plane of the head.
g. Keeping the central beam in the transverse plane, rotate the x-ray head until the central x-ray
beam is perpendicular to the imaginary bisecting line. If the end of the cone of the x-ray
machine is perpendicular to the central x-ray beam, the end of the cone will be parallel to
and close to the bisecting line.
h. The canine tooth needs to fall entirely within and the root be centred within the
circumference of the cone, with >=3mm of surrounding tissue also included to permit
detection of adjacent pathology.
i. Note the positioning and beam angulation as these can be used as a guide when imaging the
opposite side.
8. Lateral parallel view of the mandibular fourth premolar and the molars. If a large dog is
used it may not be possible to obtain images of all these teeth in one view. In this situation it is
preferable to have the fourth premolar and first molar on one view and to have all three molars
imaged on a second view.
a. Open the mouth and place a suitably sized film between the mandibular body and tongue so
that it is parallel to the long axes of the teeth and maintain it in place with a positioning aid.
b. Ensure that the film extends ventrally to beyond the border of the mandible. The edge of the
film should be palpable externally beyond the ventral margin on the mandible.
c. Bring the cone as close as possible to the mandible
d. Direct the central x-ray beam perpendicular to the film. If the end of the cone of the x-ray
machine is perpendicular to the central x-ray beam, the end of the cone will be parallel to the
film and close to or touching the skin.
e. The teeth to be imaged need to fall within the circumference of the cone, with >=3mm of
surrounding tissue also included to permit detection of adjacent pathology. Ideally the full
height of the mandible should be imaged.
Standard Dental Views of the Cat
Maxillary Dentition
Position the cat in sternal recumbency, with a sandbag under the chin supporting the head with the
hard palate in a horizontal plane. In practise, it is not essential to maintain the palate in the horizontal
plane; however, this helps to avoid any rotation of the head to left or right.
1. Rostro-caudal approximate bisecting angle view of the maxillary incisor teeth, including the
canine teeth and full width of the rostral maxilla. This view provides a slightly magnified
anatomically accurate representation of the incisor teeth. The canine teeth will not be ideally
represented due to superimposition of other teeth over the images of their roots. It is difficult to
obtain satisfactory images using size two films so it is recommended to use size 4. Clinically it is
necessary to obtain slightly oblique rostro-caudal views to assess the canine teeth accurately but
those views are not required in a radiograph set submitted to fulfil credentials requirements.
a. Open the mouth and place a suitably sized film between the crowns of the canine teeth.
b. Both maxillary canine crown tips should be touching the film with as much of the film as
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
possible extending into the oral cavity. The film may be positioned symmetrically or at a 45
degree angle with a corner deep in the oral cavity.
If one canine tooth is shorter than the other, use a radiolucent positioning aid to pack up the
shorter crown until it approximates the height of the longer crown.
Looking from lateral (either left or right as convenient), visualise the angle between the long
axis of the canine tooth root and the plane of the film.
Bisect that angle with an imaginary line.
Bring the cone of the x-ray machine as close as possible to the maxilla dorsally, with the
central beam aligned with the mid sagital plane of the cat.
Keeping the central beam aimed along the mid sagital plane, rotate the head of the x-ray
machine until the central x-ray beam is directed perpendicular to the imaginary line bisecting
the tooth/film angle. If the end of the cone of the x-ray machine is perpendicular to the
central x-ray beam, the end of the cone will be parallel to and close to the bisecting line.
The teeth to be imaged need to fall and be centred within the circumference of the cone, with
>=3mm of surrounding tissue also included to permit detection of adjacent pathology.
2. Lateral bisecting angle views of the maxillary canine teeth and premolars. This is a true
orthogonal lateral projection of the canine tooth. The x-ray beam is in the transverse plane of the
head; this is not an oblique view. However, the canine and premolar apices must be clearly
visible with >=3 mm of surrounding tissue with no significant superimpositions with other
structures. Where this is not achieved with a lateral view, a lateral oblique view of the canine
tooth should be obtained. The fourth premolar and molar tooth will not be satisfactorily imaged
in this view due to superimposition of the zygomatic arch.
a. Open the mouth and place a suitably sized film between the crowns of the canine teeth
rostrally and the crowns of the premolar teeth caudally, so that the film is nearly parallel to
the hard palate.
b. Both maxillary canine crown tips should be touching the film, with that of the tooth that is
being imaged near the corner of the film and with the majority of the film extending caudally
into the oral cavity.
c. If one canine tooth is shorter than the other, use a radiolucent positioning aid to pack up the
shorter crown until it approximates the height of the longer crown.
d. Looking rostro-caudally into the oral cavity, visualise the angle between the long axis of the
maxillary canine tooth and the plane of the film.
e. Bisect that angle with an imaginary line.
f. Bring the cone of the x-ray machine as close as possible to the maxilla, directing the central
x-ray beam horizontally, perpendicular to the sagital plane of the head.
g. Keeping the central beam in the transverse plane, rotate the x-ray head until the central x-ray
beam is perpendicular to the imaginary bisecting line. If the end of the cone of the x-ray
machine is perpendicular to the central x-ray beam, the end of the cone will be parallel to
and close to the bisecting line.
h. The canine tooth needs to fall within the circumference of the cone, with >=3mm of
surrounding tissue also included to permit detection of adjacent pathology.
i. Note the positioning and beam angulation a as these can be used as a guide when imaging the
opposite side.
3. Extra-oral near-parallel view of the maxillary premolars and molar tooth
The extra-oral view normally provides more accurate premolar tooth images with less
superimposition of other structures.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Position the cat in lateral recumbency, with the side to be imaged down.
Place a mouth prop between the canine teeth.
Place a suitably sized film on the table beneath the head.
Rotate the head slightly so that the premolar tooth roots are parallel to the film.
Bring the cone of the x-ray machine as close as possible to the cat, directing the central x-ray
beam perpendicular to the film on the table.
f. Rotate the x-ray head to direct the central x-ray beam slightly dorso-caudally, just sufficiently
to avoid superimposition of the contra-lateral dental arcade on the teeth to be imaged. This
can be checked by shining a light into the oral cavity from 20 cm away and visualising the
position of shadows.
g. The tooth roots to be imaged need to fall within the circumference of the cone, with >=3mm
of surrounding tissue also included to permit detection of adjacent pathology.
h. If images of the apices of the fourth premolar are not sufficiently separated, angle the central
beam more caudally.
i. Note the positioning and beam angulation and use these as a guide when imaging the
opposite side.
Mandibular Dentition
Position the cat in dorsal recumbency so that the hard palate is maintained in a horizontal plane. In
practise, it is not essential to maintain the palate in the horizontal plane; however, this helps to
avoid any rotation of the head to the left or right.
4. Rostro-caudal bisecting angle view of the mandibular incisors and canine teeth.
This view provides reasonably anatomically accurate representations of the mandibular canine
and incisor tooth roots as the angles of the roots are normally similar. The tooth crowns will be
foreshortened to a variable degree
a. Open the mouth holding the tongue loosely against the mandibular incisor teeth and place a
suitably sized film between the crowns of the canine teeth. It is equally acceptable to fold the
tongue caudally out of the way, but film placement is not as easy if this is done.
b. Both mandibular canine crown tips should be touching the film with the majority of the film
extending symmetrically into the oral cavity.
c. If one canine tooth is shorter than the other, use a radiolucent positioning aid to pack up the
shorter crown until it approximates the height of the longer crown.
d. Looking from lateral (either left or right as convenient), visualise the angle between the
average of the long axes of the canine and incisor tooth roots and the film.
e. That angle is bisected by an imaginary line.
f. Bring the cone as close as possible to the mandible, directing the central x-ray beam
perpendicular to the imaginary bisecting line whilst keeping the central x-ray beam directed
along the mid sagital plane. If the end of the cone of the x-ray machine is perpendicular to the
central x-ray beam, the end of the cone will be parallel to and close to the bisecting line.
g. The central beam should remain aligned with the mid sagital plane of the cat.
h. The teeth to be imaged need to fall and be centred within the circumference of the cone, with
>=3mm of surrounding tissue also included to permit detection of adjacent pathology.
5. Lateral bisecting angle view of the mandibular canine and rostral premolar teeth. Note that
this is a true orthogonal projection of the canine tooth. This will also image some of the premolar
teeth. The x-ray beam is in the transverse plane of the head; this is not an oblique view. However,
the canine tooth apices must be clearly visible with >=3 mm around the apex and no significant
superimpositions with other structures (mandibular symphysis, mental foramen etc.), so, where
this is not achieved with a lateral view, a lateral oblique view should be used.
a. Open the mouth holding the tongue loosely against the mandibular incisor teeth and place a
suitably sized film between the crowns of the canine teeth. It is equally acceptable to fold the
tongue caudally out of the way, but film placement is not as easy if this is done.
b. Both mandibular canine crown tips should be touching the film, with that of the tooth that is
being imaged near the corner of the film and with the majority of the film extending caudally
into the oral cavity.
c. If one canine tooth is shorter than the other, use a radiolucent positioning aid to pack up the
shorter crown until it approximates the height of the longer crown.
d. Looking rostro-caudally into the oral cavity, visualise the angle between the long axis of the
mandibular canine tooth and the plane of the film.
e. Bisect that angle with an imaginary line.
f. Bring the cone of the x-ray machine as close as possible to the mandible, directing the central
x-ray beam horizontally, perpendicular to the sagital plane of the head.
g. Keeping the central beam in the transverse plane, rotate the x-ray head until the central x-ray
beam is perpendicular to the imaginary bisecting line. If the end of the cone of the x-ray
machine is perpendicular to the central x-ray beam, the end of the cone will be parallel to
and close to the bisecting line.
h. The canine tooth needs to fall and the root be centred within the circumference of the cone,
with >=3mm of surrounding tissue also included to permit detection of adjacent pathology.
Ideally the full height of the mandible should be imaged.
i. Note the positioning and beam angulation and use these as a guide when imaging the
opposite side
6. Lateral parallel view of the mandibular premolars and molar
a. Open the mouth and place a suitably sized film between the mandibular body and tongue
so that it is parallel to the long axes of the teeth.
b. Ensure that the film extends ventrally beyond the border of the mandible. The edge of the
film should be palpable externally beyond the ventral margin on the mandible.
c. Bring the cone as close as possible to the mandible
d. Direct the central x-ray beam perpendicular to the film. If the end of the cone of the x-ray
machine is perpendicular to the central x-ray beam, the end of the cone will be parallel to
the film and close to or touching the skin.
e. The teeth to be imaged need to fall within the circumference of the cone, with >=3mm of
surrounding tissue also included to permit detection of adjacent pathology. Ideally the
full height of the mandible should be imaged
Post-exposure Processing
Radiographic images including photographed images of radiographic ‘wet’ films may be
electronically processed to adjust the overall brightness. Any evidence that suggests images have
been electronically enhanced or modified in any other way will lead to their rejection.
Views to be Included for a Full-mouth Dental Radiograph Set Submitted for
Review:
A full-mouth dental radiograph set consists of 10 to 14 views. The following views are required.
See above for recommended details on positioning.
a. Rostro-caudal bisecting angle view of the maxillary incisor teeth incorporating the full
length of both maxillary canine teeth (a 3 mm area beyond tooth structure is not required
for the canine teeth in this view). The canine teeth must be present but will not be
assessed in this view.
b. Right lateral bisecting angle view of the maxillary canine tooth (and adjacent premolars).
A slightly oblique view is acceptable if necessary to avoid anatomical superimposition
over the root apex.
c. Right lateral bisecting angle view/s of the maxillary premolars and molars not already
included in the canine tooth view.
d. Additional view/s for imaging individual roots of the maxillary fourth premolar.
e. Left lateral bisecting angle view of the maxillary canine tooth (and adjacent premolars)
A slightly oblique view is acceptable if necessary to avoid anatomical superimposition
over the root apex.
f. Left lateral bisecting angle view of the maxillary premolars and molars not included in
the canine tooth view.
g. Additional view/s for imaging individual roots of maxillary fourth premolar.
h. Rostro-caudal bisecting angle (near occlusal) view of the mandibular incisor teeth,
incorporating both mandibular canine teeth. The canine teeth must be present and will be
assessed in this view.
i. Left lateral bisecting angle view of the mandibular canine (and adjacent premolars) A
slightly oblique view is acceptable if necessary to avoid anatomical superimposition over
the root apex.
j. Additional view of the rostral premolars if not clearly imaged on the canine view.
k. Left lateral parallel view of the caudal mandibular premolars and the molars.
l. Right lateral bisecting angle view of the mandibular canine (and adjacent premolars) A
slightly oblique view is acceptable if necessary to avoid anatomical superimposition over
the root apex.
m. Additional view/s of the rostral premolars if not clearly imaged on the canine view.
n. Right lateral parallel view of the caudal mandibular premolars and the molars.
Mounting and Image Resolution
The radiographs are to be mounted using labial mounting.
a. The maxillary teeth are to have the roots facing upwards and the crown downwards.
b. The reverse applies for the mandibular teeth.
See the Trainee Support Documentation (create link or place information here) for further
guidance on mounting.
When the original document is prepared, image resolution needs to be maintained at or above 300
dpi (400 dpi for cats).
Labeling
Dental radiograph sets are to be labelled only with the minimum required detail, i.e.:
a. The set title (eg." Canine Dental Radiograph Set").
b. The date the set was obtained, in numeric format (e.g. 2012-02-08 or 8/2/12).
c. For dental radiograph sets, the modified Triadan identity of the tooth/teeth that can be
assessed on each image.
d. The use of extra-oral positioning for a dental radiograph ("e/o" or "E/O").
e. The particular root or roots to be assessed on a particular image ("m"=mesial, "d"= distal,
"p"=palatal).
Submission
Radiograph sets can be submitted as Word document(s) with images and labels embedded
in the document, or in PDF format. Separate pages can be used for maxillary and mandibular
images, submitted either as one file or as separate files named ……Maxillary and
……..Mandibular.
If you elect to submit the file in .pdf format, use the High Quality Print setting in your .pdf program,
to avoid pixilation. There will be variations in viewing conditions used by assessors due to different
operating systems, screen settings and room lighting; before submission, review your final file
under different conditions to ensure that it is readable.
File Naming: All radiograph sets will be assessed anonymously. To ensure that the original files
are correctly archived, submit the files initially as YourLASTName, FirstName Dental Rad Set
Canine or Feline date made (as e.g. 21-05-2015). The file(s) will be given a code number before
being process to the Assessors.
The assessors may request clarification or additional information when reviewing a radiograph
set before making a decision.
The original images used to produce radiograph documents must remain available as they will be
required to be submitted for verification of a proportion of submitted radiograph documents. If
these cannot be produced when requested, the set will not be accepted.