PANORAMIC X-RAY
A panoramic dental X-ray is a radiological technique, also called a panoramic radiograph, in which a single image shows the upper jaw, the lower jaw and the patient’s teeth, so that at a glance we can get a general idea of the state of the patient’s mouth, begin making an accurate diagnosis and see any conditions or changes they may have.
As well as being used to diagnose conditions, they are also taken in order to plan various dental treatments thoroughly, since the information they give us relates to the patient’s hard tissues, that is, the teeth and bones. They therefore provide a great deal of information for treating and easing whatever the patient is suffering from.
The benefits of a panoramic X-ray:
The fact that a panoramic X-ray can include both dental arches, as well as showing the bone structures of the jaws, the joint and the surrounding structures such as the maxillary sinuses, makes it an extremely useful and indispensable test in every sense.
It also reduces the amount of radiation the patient is exposed to, since the exposure lasts only a few seconds and is done in a single shot. It is a very comfortable technique, as there is no need to put a plate inside the mouth and it is taken standing up in an open unit.
Thanks to it, the anatomical structures can be seen, allowing a diagnosis to be made and future conditions to be prevented by starting treatment as early as possible.
It provides an overall diagnostic impression, very useful in cases of complicated dental conditions, very large lesions (odontogenic tumors or cysts), problems with tooth eruption and cases in which the number of teeth is abnormal.
How does it work?
These days, it is best for the practice to have the equipment on site so the panoramic X-ray can be taken the moment it is needed, without having to send the patient elsewhere, which saves time and helps patient and dentist communicate straight away. Today we also have various programs for selecting specific areas we need to see in more detail, so the image quality is excellent for a good diagnosis and for treatment planning.
The patient has to be positioned according to certain parameters for the position of the teeth and the head and, since our equipment is digital, we have the image on the computer immediately, with no need for physical X-ray plates that then have to be developed. Another advantage of the equipment being digital is that the radiation level for the patient is much lower.
The patient has to stand upright and still while the X-ray is taken, and will see part of the equipment rotate around them to capture the whole image from right to left as everything is recorded on the digital film.
It goes without saying that the panoramic X-ray is today’s dentists’ favorite tool, thanks to the ability to see the patient’s entire oral structure in a single image, and on top of that it is a study that involves very low radiation compared with other diagnostic tests.
The panoramic X-ray is undoubtedly one of the best tools for seeing everything from the upper jaw to the lower jaw and, of course, all of the patient’s teeth.
What can we see with a panoramic X-ray?
A well taken panoramic X-ray allows the following to be assessed:
- Tooth decay: a panoramic X-ray will show whether there is decay, though only in general terms; if you want to see it specifically, a dedicated X-ray is requested, called a periapical or bitewing, covering only the area in question.
- Teeth that have not yet erupted: in these cases the developing tooth buds can be seen, representing the teeth that have not yet come through. It is very useful for monitoring the change from baby teeth to permanent, adult ones.
- Infections: when there is infection, these lesions sometimes spread beyond the tooth and reach other nearby teeth or damage the bone.
- Tooth eruption in children: when children still have their baby or mixed dentition, a timeline can be seen of whether the teeth have come out at the right time or too early, so treatment can be given if it is needed.
- Bone loss in periodontal patients: it gives us an overall picture of bone loss in patients with periodontal disease.
- Pathological bone lesions: the anatomy of the nasal septum, the presence of asymmetries, the maxillary sinuses and more can be assessed.
When should you have a panoramic X-ray?
This study is requested for various reasons and is one of the most widely used by practitioners, who often have the option of taking it at the practice itself, as we do. Thanks to the panoramic X-ray they can get specific information to give the patient a clear, precise diagnosis.
A panoramic X-ray is recommended at a patient’s first visit, since that is the most important moment for making a diagnosis and setting out a treatment plan. Sometimes it can be worth taking one at each annual visit to the dentist in order to see whether there is any significant change in a structure we need to monitor, or whether any particular condition appears that can be diagnosed in time and its consequences avoided.
The panoramic X-ray is undoubtedly an indispensable tool for dental professionals today because of the chance it gives to see the whole oral cavity in a single image.
In short, the panoramic X-ray is a very useful diagnostic test in dentistry, oral surgery, implant dentistry, orthodontics and periodontics.
