Radiographic study of the maxillary canine tooth in mesaticephalic dogs

Radiology is the most important diagnostic technique for evaluation of the radicular structure of the tooth and adjacent areas. However, superimposition of other oral or nasal structures often creates difficulties when interpreting radiographic images. The purpose of this study was to identify and locate any anatomical structures that may be superimposed over the root of the maxillary canine tooth in radiographs of dogs. Results showed that the nasal conchae minimally interfere with the visualization of the tooth. The vomer bone and maxillary structures (the conchal crest, the line of conjunction between the maxillary body and the palatine process, and the palatine sulcus) are visible as linear radiopacities, and were found to be responsible for most of the radiographic features in this area. The incisivomaxillary canal and the palatine fissure caused radiolucent images. The incisivomaxillary suture and the nasoincisive suture may appear as radiolucent images in young skulls and linear radiopacities in older skulls. It appears from this study that a compromise between minimal superimposition of dental and non-dental structures and small image distortion is needed to obtain diagnostic radiographic views of the maxillary canine tooth in mesaticephalic dogs. The relative positions of the conchal crest, the line of conjunction between the vertical body of the maxilla and its palatine process, the incisivomaxillary canal, and the tooth, cannot be changed radiographically because of the close anatomic position of these structures.