Comparison of dentoalveolar bony defects measurements by dental radiography and computed tomography in companion animals

Background: Dental disorders are commonly encountered in companion animals and diagnosed with dental radiography (DTR) and computed tomography (CT). No study has been reported previously that compares dental measurements from DTR and CT in companion animals with periodontitis-related bone loss. The purpose was to compare the DTR and CT of bony defects in cats and dogs with dental disease. Methods: This is a retrospective study and the records of Jeonbuk Animal Medical Center were reviewed between June 2019 and October 2020. All patients underwent both modalities. In DTR, bisecting angle technique was used. In CT, slice thickness was applied at either 0.5 mm or 1.0 mm depending on the size of the patients. Bony defects of dentoalveolar structures were measured. Result: Eight dogs and eight cats with dental disease were included. All measurements in both cats and dogs were smaller in DTR than in CT. Additionally, CT with thin slice thickness provided more sufficient and accurate information for dental diagnosis. Conclusively, CT examination for dental disease showed to be superior in the assessment of periodontitis-related bone lesions by obtaining precise images without distortion and overlap and can possibly substitute DTR in cats and small dogs.