Have you ever done this while attempting to shoot interdental spaces?

You really want to radiograph that interdental space between the 210 and 211…

But NUTS, you didn’t get the rostro-caudal angle right.

Luckily, you have digital radiography (If you ARE so lucky) … but how many views do you want to take, truly? How much exposure do you really want?

Lizzi’s Discovery Simplifies Radiography of Interdental Spaces

While studying for her Membership in the Australia New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists(ANCVS) in Equine Dentistry, inventor of the Equi-Still Portable Equine Stocks, equine veterinarian Elizabeth (Lizzi) Thompson figured out a simple way of getting the angle of the interdental space for a particular tooth right. The first time. And how to show it in a lecture for the ANZCVS!

When it clicked, it was so simple, she wondered why she’d never thought of it before!

She gathered some toothpicks and a handy equine skull and set about slipping (well, slipping probably isn’t exactly the word.. they are rather tightly packed, or should be, anyway) a toothpick into each of the interdental spaces of the maxilla and mandible and pushing them in as far as possible to approximate the plane of each space.

The Maxilla

Starting with the maxilla, after placing the little sticks, it becomes rather clear how much the angulation of the interdental space changes as one moves from mesial to distal, or rostral to caudal, if you use that terminology. SO, you’ll need to take your shots parallel to the toothpick to clearly visualise the alveolar crest and periodontal space of the interdental space which concerns you. Yes, that means you will likely need to take more than one view to see different interdental spaces within the mandibular arcades.

              

The Mandible

Radiographing the interdental spaces of the mandible is a completely kettle of fish. In some cases, the angulation between the interdental spaces can be straight or even a wee bit concave, rather than convex, as seen with the maxilla from the buccal side.

SO, if you want to radiograph the interdental space of the 208/209 for the maxilla, and then the same for the mandible, understand you might be taking two very different radiographs! However, unlike with the maxilla, you might get more than one interdental space well-visualized on one shot!

         

 

Toothpicks!

The concept is simple, but it’s made a big difference to Lizzi’s radiography. The response from the veterinarians she’s taught has been excellent.

Try it, you’ll like it!

Please, if you would, comment below to let Lizzi know how it worked for you and see invites you to share the link to this page with anyone you think would benefit!

 

Equi Still Stocks…

help minimize downtime in your practice by keeping you, your vets, and your techs safe.

Having your gear right there beside your stocks at every farm, every time, will also save you and your practice time, money and sanity! With our power setup, any practice vehicle with a basic running lights plug can be a mobile surgical vehicle. No need for special wiring in every truck!

Your clients know you have their best interests at heart when they see the safety features offered by our stocks. Safety for them, their valued equids, and your vets. A combination that can’t be beat.

Please feel free to contact us to discuss your needs.

Thanks for coming by!

We’re looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Kindest regards,

Lizzi Thompson

EA (Lizzi) Thompson, DVM, MANZCVS (Equine Dentistry), GradDipTeach