Panorex

A panoramic or wide-view x-ray of the upper and lower jaw and teeth. Panoramic radiography (also called pantomography) is a body section imaging technique that results in a wide, curved image layer depicting the maxillary and mandibular dental arches and their supporting structures. This is achieved by using a single rotation of the x-ray source and image receptor around the patient's head. Panoramic images are most useful clinically for diagnostic challenges requiring broad coverage of the jaws. Common clinical applications include evaluation of trauma including jaw fractures, location of third molars, extensive dental or osseous disease, known or suspected large lesions, tooth development and eruption (especially in the mixed dentition), impacted or unerupted teeth and root remnants (in edentulous patients), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, and developmental anomalies. Panoramic imaging is often used in initial patient evaluation that can provide the required insight or assist in determining the need for other projections. Panoramic images are also useful for patients who do not tolerate intraoral procedures well.

Basic panoramic radiograph

Indications

• Overall evaluation of dentition
• Examine for intraosseous pathology, such as cysts, tumors, or infections
• Gross evaluation of temporomandibular joints
• Evaluation of position of impacted teeth
• Evaluation of eruption of permanent dentition
• Dentomaxillofacial trauma
• Developmental disturbances of maxillofacial skeleton

Mixed dentition pan

Advantages

• Broad coverage of facial bones and teeth
• Low radiation dose
• Ease of panoramic radiographic technique
• Can be used in patients with trismus or in patients who cannot tolerate intraoral radiography
• Quick and convenient radiographic technique
• Useful visual aid in patient education and case presentation

Panoramic Xray

Disadvantages

• Lower-resolution images that do not provide the fine details provided by intraoral radiographs
• Magnification across image is unequal, making linear measurements unreliable
• Image is superimposition of real, double, and ghost images and requires careful visualization to decipher anatomic and pathologic details
• Requires accurate patient positioning to avoid positioning errors and artifacts
• Difficult to image both jaws when patient has severe maxillomandibular discrepancy

Resources

Latest articles - Panorex

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Source: Data courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Since the data might have changed, please query MeSH on Panorex for any updates.

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