A Study of an Oblique Projection Method with Open-mouth for Rabbit Teeth

Abstract

Radiological evaluation is importantly employed for diagnosis of dental disease in rabbits. A conventional lateral, dorso-ventral and rostoro-caudal projections are required to evaluate occlusions and alignment of dental arcade but do not show detailed pathology of individual tooth because of superimposition. An oblique projection with open-mouth showed details of individual tooth structures without superimposition in a rabbit skull. A skull with open mouth was positioned in right lateral recumbence and rotated approximately 45 degree to obtain an unobstructed view of the teeth in the right maxillary quadrant including the incisors. The chin was then raised until the left mandibular dentition became parallel with the film surface to visualize the entire left mandibular quadrant clearly without overlap. The left maxillary and right mandibular quadrants were imaged in the same manner with the open-mouthed skull positioned in left lateral recumbence. This radiographic technique provided good visualization of each quadrant in clinical cases as well, and seemed to offer a very effective means of obtaining detailed information needed for dental care.