Orthopantomography

Orthopantomography is a type of panoramic radiography of the mouth and teeth. It is a medical imaging examination that provides a panoramic view of the entire dental arch, including the teeth, jaws, temporomandibular joints, and surrounding structures.

1. Patient positioning: The patient is positioned standing or sitting in front of the orthopantomography device, with the chin resting on a chin rest and keeping the head still during the scan.
2. Alignment: The radiologic technologist or the dentist carefully aligns the patient’s head so that the dental axes are perpendicular to the plane of the image.

1. Scan: Once the patient is properly positioned, the orthopantomography device rotates around the patient’s head, acquiring a panoramic image of the entire dental arch. During the scan, the patient is required to keep their head still and not move.
2. Completion of the exam: Once the scan is completed, the obtained images are displayed on a computer and evaluated by the radiologist or dentist to diagnose any dental or bone conditions. The patient can then leave the clinic.

Orthopantomography is a non-invasive and painless examination, typically requiring only a few minutes to complete. It is widely used as a complementary diagnostic tool in dentistry to assess the health of teeth and bone structures in the mouth. It can be used to plan dental surgical procedures, orthodontic and prosthetic treatments, and other dental interventions.

How to prepare?
During the orthopantomography examination, the patient is positioned standing or sitting in front of an imaging device, which is capable of rotating around the patient’s head to capture a panoramic image. The patient is required to keep their head still during the scan, and the radiologic technologist or dentist will guide the patient through the process.