Panoramic x-rays (also called Panorex® or orthopantomograms) are wraparound images of the face and teeth. Like all x-rays, they expose hidden structures such as wisdom teeth, and they show early signs of cavities, fractures and bone loss.
They’re taken from outside the mouth: instead of film placed in your mouth, the camera rotates around your head. A panoramic x-ray doesn’t show each tooth in fine detail. It gives a better view of the sinuses, nasal area and the mandibular nerve. It’s also a good choice when someone is in severe pain, or when a sinus problem may be causing dental problems.
What panoramic x-rays are used for
- Checking patients with a strong gag reflex
- Tracking the progress of TMJ problems
- Finding cysts and abnormalities
- Finding impacted teeth
- Finding jawbone fractures
- Planning dentures, braces and implants
- Revealing gum disease and cavities
How they’re taken
You stand with your head positioned between a rotating arm that holds the x-ray generator and a moving attachment that holds the image. The generator travels around your head, capturing your upper and lower jaw in one view. Careful positioning gives the sharpest, most useful image, and the picture is magnified by up to 30% so even small details show.
The most common uses are checking the position of wisdom teeth and making sure dental implants won’t affect the mandibular nerve (the nerve that runs toward the lower lip). Panoramic x-rays are an important diagnostic and planning tool, and less radiation enters the body than with some other types of x-rays.