Diagnostic value of full-mouth radiography in horses.
Authors: Bishop Ian Tyler
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Full-Mouth Radiography in Equine Dentistry Tyler's 2022 observational study evaluated 248 horses undergoing routine oral health examinations to establish the diagnostic yield of full-mouth radiography versus clinical examination alone. Oral assessments were paired with complete radiographic surveys, allowing comparison of findings between the two modalities and assessment of how often disease was identified radiographically without corresponding clinical signs. One in five horses (20%) presented radiographic evidence of dental pathology that would have gone undetected by visual and manual examination, whilst nearly half the cohort (46%) showed clinical indicators that would traditionally trigger targeted radiographic imaging; within this subset, however, full-mouth surveys identified disease in 21% of cases that would have been missed by selective radiography. These findings underscore the limitations of clinical examination as a standalone diagnostic tool and demonstrate that full-mouth radiography detects subclinical and interproximal disease processes that drive progressive dental degeneration. For equine practitioners, this work supports the adoption of comprehensive radiographic protocols in routine preventative care programmes, particularly where early intervention can arrest pathological processes and maintain long-term oral function.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Full-mouth radiographs reveal significant disease in horses that appear normal on visual and tactile oral examination alone—consider this a standard diagnostic tool, not optional
- •Targeted radiography based on clinical signs alone will miss ~21% of radiographic abnormalities; full-mouth surveys provide superior diagnostic coverage
- •Approximately 1 in 5 horses undergoing routine dental care have radiographic findings that could impact treatment planning and long-term oral health outcomes
Key Findings
- •20% of horses (50/248) had radiographic signs of disease with no corresponding oral examination findings
- •46% of horses (113/248) had oral examination findings warranting radiography
- •21% of horses with indication for targeted radiography (24/113) had additional disease missed by targeted approach alone
- •Full-mouth radiography detected clinically occult dental disease in approximately 1 in 5 horses