Panoramic Dental Imaging

Panoramic Dental Imaging

Orthopantomogram, or OPG, is an X-ray which looks at the lower face, teeth, jaw joints, and maxillary sinuses. The teeth are displayed in a long flat line. This x-ray is useful to demonstrate the number of teeth as well as their position and growth and is particularly useful to assess teeth that have not yet surfaced, such as wisdom teeth.

Lateral Cephalogram (or Lat Ceph) is an X-ray of the side of your face with very precise positioning. This is done so measurements can be taken to determine the current and future relationship of the top and bottom jaw (maxilla and mandible) and therefore assess the nature of your bite. This is particularly useful to plan orthodontic treatment that may be necessary. As treatment progresses, it is helpful to have any additional Lat Cephs taken at the same practice so that the x-rays can be easily compared.

Pearl Dental clinic’s panoramic unit by Planmeca offers an advanced and versatile OPG imaging experience. From flexible patient positioning to creative innovations and high image quality, these panoramic imaging units represent OPG imaging at its finest.

An OPG is a panoramic or wide view x-ray of the lower face, which displays all the teeth of the upper and lower jaw on a single film. It demonstrates the number, position, and growth of all the teeth including those that have not yet surfaced or erupted. It is different from the small close-up x-rays dentists take of individual teeth.

How can Dental imaging help you:

An OPG (Orthopantomogram) is a scan that gives a panoramic view of your jaw and teeth. The scan can provide information on:

• Advanced periodontal disease
• Cysts in the jawbones
• Jaw tumors and oral cancer
• Impacted teeth including wisdom teeth
• Jaw disorders (also known as temporomandibular joint or TMJ disorders)
• Sinusitis

How to prepare for a CT scan?

This procedure requires little to no special preparation.

• Tell your Radiographer, if there’s a possibility you are pregnant.
• Pregnant women are only given a scan if the benefit of the scan outweighs the risk to the baby.
•  Leave jewelry at home.
• Your scan will take on an average 10-15 min