OPG

Orthopantomography: 

Orthopantomography is a well-established radiograph in dental practice. It offers a singular panoramic view of the lower face, namely the maxilla, mandible, and teeth. OPG radiography is a highly convenient and inexpensive procedure to assess the gross anatomy of the jaws and associated pathology. It enables a dental practitioner to visualize the jawbone, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and the teeth of both jaws (including the presently dormant ones such as the wisdom tooth) on a single film. What are the indications of this type of radiograph? There are multiple indications of the same that are listed below but are not limited to:

● General oral health evaluation for pulp origin and facial bone disease or dental caries.

● Radicular or tumor cyst assessment.

● Trauma evaluation for jaw or tooth fractures.

● Foreign body localization.

● Identification of sialolithiasis or salivary stone.

● Assessment of the TMJ for fractures, dislocations, or disease.

● Assessment for periodontitis, sinusitis, periapical abscesses, and other dental infections.

● Monitoring the development of pediatric teeth for angle, tooth germ absence, etc.

However, panoramic image limitations include double or ghost images, inherent anatomy distortion, and a lack of precise spatial relation between structures. Traditional dental X-rays over film are being replaced by advanced digital X-rays such as OPG radiography. These techniques are capable of offering high-quality images and thus, reduce the need for multiple scans.