SHARES
What is radiography? Radiography is defined as the technique of examining the body by directing X-rays through it to produce various radiographic images on a photographic film or a fluoroscope. Radiography has been widely used in medical as well as dental healthcare for various purposes.
In continuation with our previous post on Oral Radiology where we discussed about Intra-oral Radiographs, in this post we will find out about the other type – Extra-oral Radiography. The most common type of Extra-Oral Radiograph consists of Orthopantomogram (OPG).
Orthopantomogram (OPG), also known as an “orthopantogram” or “Panorex”, is a single tomographic image of the facial structures that include both upper and lower dental arches and their supporting structures.
Orthopantomograms
OPGs are indicated for the following conditions:
- Evaluation of teeth development in children
- Assessment for orthodontic therapy
- Establishment of the size & site of oral lesions
- Diagnosis of oral lesions
- Detection of bone fractures
- Assessment of third molars
- Investigation of TMJ dysfunction
- Assessment of jaw bones
- Evaluation of developmental anomalies
What are the advantages of this radiographic technique?
- Being a simple radiographic technique
- Convenient radiographic technique
- Having lower radiation dose
- Useful for mass screening
- Helping in object/lesion localization in human body
What are the disadvantages of orthopantomogram?
- Geometric distortion of the radiographic image
- Radiographic image magnification
- Overlapping of teeth in the radiographic images
- High cost
In a nutshell, the advancements in technology have made dental practise more comfortable, effective and time saving for the patients. Radiography does play a very essential role in the practise of dentistry by helping in the diagnosis, evaluation, management, and treatment planning of various dental conditions/diseases.
by Dr Tommy Wong
A registered Dental Surgeon passionate to make a dent in the World of Dentistry. All through his dentistry journey, he has realised that there is still a lack of Oral Health Education to the public globally. This leads to high prevalence of Oral Diseases among the human population. With this mission, he has established GlobalDentalPro – Your Oral Health Educator with the mission to promote Oral Health globally to enable people to increase control over, and to improve their Oral Health & thus General Health. View all articles by Dr Tommy Wong.
