Adaptation of a dental RadioVisioGraph unit as a laboratory animal research tool

We have adapted the RadioVisioGraph (RVG), a digital radiography system designed for dentistry, to become a versatile research tool in a small research facility. We have used this modified digital imaging system in our institution to assess bone fractures and ossification in rabbit tibias in which titanium posts were placed in close proximity to one another, to evaluate bone fill in rats with experimental cranial critical-size defects, and to ensure the proper placement of oral gavage tubes in rodents. This method provides instantaneous digital radiographs, thus not requiring a dedicated X-ray suite or film-processing equipment, and reduces scatter radiation by < or =95%. The use of this technology in a small research facility has greatly improved the quality of both the care our animals receive and the research data we obtain.