The document provides a comprehensive overview of panoramic radiography, detailing its principles, equipment, patient positioning, and clinical applications. It explains the techniques for producing panoramic images, various types of tomographic movements, and the advantages and limitations of panoramic radiographs. Additionally, it discusses the equipment used, patient preparation, and common clinical indications for utilizing panoramic imaging in dental diagnostics.

2. ORTHOPANTOMAGRAM

3. CONTENTS
 Introduction
 Principle
 Equipment
 Patient Positioning

4. DENTAL PANORAMIC TOMOGRAPH (DPT) OR
PANORAMIC RADIOGRAPH
 A technique for producing a single tomographic image of the facial
structures that includes both the maxillary and mandibular dental
arches and their supporting structures
4

5. PAN – WIDE
TOMO- SLICE
GRAPHY – TO WRITE
5

6. Panoramic radiography also known as,
Pantomography
Rotational panoramic Radiography
6

7. To produce the required elliptical, horseshoe-shaped focal trough, panoramic
tomographic equipment employs the principle of narrow-beam rotational
tomography and uses two or more centres of rotation.
PRINCIPLES OF PANORAMIC IMAGE FORMATION
7

8. Conventional tomography is a specialized radiographic technique developed
originally for producing radiographs that showed only a section or slice of a patient.
CONVENTIONAL TOMOGRAPHY
8

9. A technique that enables the patient to be imaged in slices – like a loaf of sliced
bread
9

10.  Each individual tomographic image (or slice) shows the tissues within that section
sharply defined and in focus. The section is thus referred to as the focal plane or
focal trough.
 Tissues and structures outside the tomographic section are not visible because
they are very blurred and out of focus.
10

11. TOMOGRAPHIC THEORY
The theory of tomographic movement and three methods for producing linear and curved
tomographic slices include:
1. Linear tomography using a wide or broad X-ray beam
2. Linear tomography using a narrow or slit X-ray Beam
3. Rotational curved tomography using a narrow slit X-ray beam.
11

12. • The synchronized movement of the tube
head and film, in the vertical plane,
results in a straight linear focal trough.
• The broad x-ray beam exposes the entire
film throughout the exposure.
12

13. SLIT OR NARROW-BEAM LINEAR TOMOGRAPHY
• The equipment is designed so that the narrow beam traverses the film.
• Only by the end of the tomographic movement has the entire film been exposed.
• The film cassette has to be placed behind a protective metal shield with narrow
opening is required to allow a small part of the film to be exposed to the X-ray
beam at any one instant.

14. • The tomographic movement is produced by the
synchronized movement of the X-ray tubehead and the
cassette carrier, in the vertical plane.
• The film, placed behind the metal protective front of the
cassette carrier, also moves during the exposure, in the
same direction as the X-ray tubehead.
• The narrow X-ray beam traverses the patient and film,
exposing a different part of the film throughout the cycle.

15. NARROW-BEAM ROTATIONAL TOMOGRAPHY
In this type of tomography:
narrow-beam equipment is used, but the synchronized movement of the X-ray tube
head and the cassette carrier are designed to rotate in the horizontal plane, in a
circular path around the head, with a single centre of rotation. The resultant focal
trough is curved and forms the arc of a circle.
15

16. * The tomographic movement is by the circular synchronized
movement of the X-ray tubehead in one direction and the
cassette carrier in the opposite direction, in horizontal plane.
* The equipment has a single centre of rotation.
* The film also moves inside the cassette carrier so that a
different part of the film is exposed to the narrow beam during
the cycle, thus by the end the entire film has been exposed.
* The focal plane or trough (shaded) is curved and forms the arc
of a circle. 16

18. PRINCIPLE OF TOMOGRAPHIC MOVEMENT
18

19. Important points to note
● The X-ray tubehead orbits around the back of the head while the cassette
carrier with the film orbits around the front of the face.
● The X-ray tubehead and the cassette carrier appear to move in opposite
directions to one another.
19

20. ● The film moves in the same direction as the X-ray tubehead, behind the
protective metal shield of the cassette carrier.
● A different part of the film is exposed to the X-ray beam at any one instant, as
the equipment orbits the head.
● The simple circular rotational movement with a single centre of rotation
produces a curved circular focal trough.
20

21. TYPES OF TOMOGRAPHIC MOVEMENT
֎ Linear
֎ Elliptical
֎ Circular
֎ Spiral
֎ Hypocycloidal

22. By varying the size of the X-ray beam and the type of equipment movement employed
it proved possible to change the shape of the tomographic layer from a straight (linear)
line to a curve, and ultimately to the approximate horseshoe shape of the dental arch,
providing an overall panoramic image of all the teeth and their supporting structures .
22

23. The several dental panoramic units available work on the same principle but differ in how the
rotational movement is modified to image the elliptical dental arch.
Four main methods have been used including:
● Two stationary centres of rotation, using two separate circular arcs
● Three stationary centres of rotation, using three separate circular arcs
● A continually moving centre of rotation using multiple circular arcs combined to form a final
elliptical shape
● A combination of three stationary centres of rotation and a moving centre of rotation.
23

24. ROTATION CENTRE
• The film and tube head are connected and rotate simultaneously around a patient
during exposure.
• The axis around which the film and x-ray tube rotate is termed as center of rotation.
• Arches are not true arcs.
• Several centers of rotation are necessary to maintain the dental arches in the focal
trough as the machine turns around the patient.

25. Movement of the film and x-ray source about one fixed center of rotation.
25

26. * This technique used the stationary rotation center of the
beam, placed at one side of the jaws.
* The rotation center is then shifted symmetrically by
moving the patient.
* This projection technique produced the split image.
SINGLE ROTATION CENTRE

27. Movement of the film and objects ( A, B, C, and D ) about two fixed centers of rotation
27

28. * The individual left and right sides of the arc
formed by the teeth and jaws closely form a part of
a circle.
* The center of rotation was positioned anteriorly to
the location of the third molar opposite the side
being examined.
DOUBLE CENTER OF ROTATION

29. THREE CENTER ROTATION
This system divided the arc of jaws into three areas:
1. A condyle to first premolar posterior segment
2. A canine to canine anterior segment
3. A contralateral opposite segment
These three curved segments have three different centers
1. Two are bilaterally situated slightly posterior
2. Lateral to the third molars
3. In the midline posterior to the incisors.

30. The x-ray beam can be shifted from one
center to the other without any interruption
and a continuous image can be made from
condyle to condyle.

31. CONTINUALLY MOVING CENTER OF ROTATION
31

33. 33

34. IMAGE LAYER
* The image layer is a three-dimensional curved zone, or “ focal trough, ” where the
structures lying within this layer are reasonably well defined on final panoramic image.
* The structures seen on a panoramic image are primarily those located within the image
layer.
* Objects outside the image layer are blurred, magnified, or reduced in size and are
sometimes distorted to the extent of not being recognizable
34

35. Objects
closest to
film will be
narrowed
Objects
closest or
toward the
source will
be widened
Buccal
objects
projected
lower
Lingual
objects
projected
higher
Objects in the
center of the
layer are
magnified
20-30%
35

36. IMAGES OF STRUCTURES SHARPEST WITHIN FOCAL TROUGH

37. A different part of the focal trough is imaged throughout the
exposure.
The final radiograph is thus built up of sections , each created
separately, as the equipment orbits around the patient’s head.
37

38.  X ray tube head
 Head positioner
 Exposure controls
 Screen film
 Intensifying screens
 Cassette
38

39. 39

40. • Similar to intraoral x-ray tube head
• The panoramic tube head always rotates behind the patients head as the film
rotates in front of the patient
• Vertical angulation: fixed
40

41. • Collimator used is a lead plate with an opening in the shape of vertical narrow slit
• Restrict the size & shape of the x-ray beam - reduce exposure to the patient.
• Fits directly over the opening of metal housing where the x rays exit.
• Restrict size and shape of x ray beam – reduce exposure to the patient

42. Consist of:
 Chin rest
 Notched bite block
 Forehead rest
 Lateral head supporters
42

43. 43

44.  Milliamperage and kilovoltage are adjustable
 Exposure time is fixed and cannot be changed
44

45.  kV76 mA :15 Time :15 sec
 kV 80 mA :15 Time: 15 sec
45

46.  Films that are placed outside the mouth during x ray exposure.
 Used to examine large areas of skull and jaws
 Two types:
• Non screen films
• Screen films
46

47. Extra oral films are boxed in quantities of 50 or 100 films
Some manufacturers separate each piece of film with protective paper
Boxes of extraoral film are labelled with:
 Type of film
 Film size
 Total number of films enclosed
 Expiration date
High contrast medium speed films – used for panoramic and skull radiography
47

48.  Used without intensifying screens
 The emulsion is sensitive to direct x ray exposure rather than fluorescent light
 Slower – require longer exposure time – but image obtained is much sharper.
 These films not recommended for dental use
48

49.  These films are used in combination with intensifying screens, that
emit visible light
 Screens placed in the film cassette on either side of the film and are
held under pressure in a rigid manner – so fluorescent layers of the
screen and the emulsion of the film are pressed together closely.
 When cassette is exposed to x rays – screens convert x ray energy
into light -> exposes the screen film
 Screen film is sensitive to fluorescent light rather than direct x ray 49

50. Sizes: 5x12 inches
6x12 inches
2 types :
Screen film –sensitive to light emitted from intensifying screens.
Green light sensitive
Blue light sensitive

51. Green light sensitive
 Kodak ortho & T-Mat films
 Two or more times faster and provide sufficient clarity for most diagnostic tasks.
 These films have tubular shaped silver halide grains
 Green sensitizing dyes are also added to increase the light gathering capability
and to reduce the cross over of light from phosphorus layer of one side to other
side. 51

52. Blue light sensitive
Kodak X-Omat & Ektamat films
52

53.  Device that transfers X ray energy into visible light Visible light inturn
exposes the screen film
 These screens intensify the effect of x rays on film – less radiation is required to
expose a screen film ( less exposure to patient)
 An intensifying screen is a smooth plastic sheet coated with minute fluorescent
crystals – known as phosphorus
53

54. Two types
• Calcium tungstate,lanthanum oxybromide: emits blue light (faster)
• Terbium, Activated Gadolinium Oxysulphide: emits green light

55.  It holds the Extra-oral film and intensifying film.
 It must be light –tight to protect the film from exposure.
 It may be-rigid or flexible, curved or straight
 Book like container consisting of two aluminium or bakelite leaves which open and close
on hinges.
 Cassette is loaded and unloaded in the darkroom
 A metal letter L or R is attached to the front cover of cassette – indicates Rt and Lt side. 55

56. 56

57. • These transmits an electric signal to the controlling computer,which displays the image
on computer screen.
• Post processing modifications on the image - linear contrast and density adjustments,
black/white reversal, magnification, edge enhancement and color rendering.
• Software used – dicom(digital imaging and communication in medicine)
57

58. TECHNIQUE AND POSITIONING
Patient preparation
● Patients should be asked to remove any earrings, jewellery, hair pins,
spectacles, dentures or orthodontic appliances.
● The procedure and equipment movements should be explained, to reassure
patients and if necessary use a test exposure to show them the machine’s
movements.

59. Patient positioning
● The patient should be positioned in the unit so that their spine is straight and instructed to
hold any stabilizing supports or handles provided.
● The patient should be instructed to bite their upper and lower incisors edge-to-edge on the
bite-peg with their chin in good contact with the chin support.
● The head should be immobilized using the temple supports.

60. ● The light beam markers should be used so that the mid-sagittal plane is vertical, the
Frankfort plane is horizontal and the canine light lies between the upper lateral incisor and
canine.
● The patient should be instructed to close their lips and press their tongue on the roof of
their mouth so that it is in contact with their hard palate and not to move throughout the
exposure cycle (approximately 15–18 seconds).

61. EDENTULOUS PATIENT POSITIONING
The chin support is used instead of the bite-peg and the canine positioning light beam is
centered on the corner of the mouth.

62. CLINICAL INDICATIONS
1. As a substitute for full mouth intraoral periapical radiographs.
2. For evaluation of tooth development for children, the mixed dentition and also the aged.
3. To assist and assess the patient for and during orthodontic treatment.
4. To establish the site and size of lesions such as cysts, tumors and developmental anomalies in
the body and rami of the mandible.
5. Prior to any surgical procedures such as extraction of impacted teeth, enucleation of a cyst, etc.
6. For detection of fractures of the middle third face and the mandible after facial trauma.
62

63. 63
7. For follow-up of treatment, progress of pathology or postoperative bony healing.
8. Investigation of TM joint dysfunction.
9. To study the antrum, especially to study the floor, posterior and anterior walls of the
antrum.
10. Periodontal disease—as an overall view of the alveolar bone levels.
11. Assessment for underlying bone disease before constructing complete or partial dentures.
12. Evaluation of developmental anomalies.
13. Evaluation of the vertical height of the alveolar bone before inserting osseointegrated
implants.

64. 64
ADVANTAGES
1. Simple procedure requiring very little patient compliance.
2. Convenient for the patient.
3. Useful in patients with trismus and gagging problems.
4. Time required is minimal compared to a full mouth intraoral periapical radiographs.
5. That portion of the maxilla and the mandible lying within the focal trough can be
visualized on a single film.
6. The patient dose is relatively low.

65. 65
7. Panoramic radiographs taken for diagnostic purpose are valuable visual aid in patient
education.
8. A broad anatomic region is imaged.
9. The anatomical structures are most identifiable and the teeth are oriented in their
correct relationship to the adjacent structures and to each other.
10. It allows for the assessment of the presence and position of unerupted teeth in
orthodontic treatment.

66. 66
11. It demonstrates periodontal disease in a general way. Manifesting a generalized bone
loss.
12. All the parameters are standardized and repetitive images can be taken, on recall visits for
comparative and research purposes.
13. Useful for mass screening.
14. This view helps in localization of objects/ pathology in conjunction with a topographic
view or an intraoral periapical radiograph.
15. The radiation dose (effective dose equivalent) of app. 0.08 mSv is about one-third of the
dose from a full mouth survey of intraoral films.

67. 67
Disadvantages or Limitations
1. Areas of diagnostic interest outside the focal trough may be poorly visualized, e.g. swelling
on the palate, floor of the mouth.
2. Comparatively this radiograph is of a poor diagnostic quality, in terms of magnification,
geometric distortion, poor definition and loss of detail.
3. There is an overlapping of the teeth in the bicuspid area of the maxilla and the mandible.
4. In cases of pronounced inclination, the anterior teeth are poorly registered.
5. The density of the spine, especially in short necked people can cause lack of clarity in the
central portion of the film.

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6. Number of radiopaque and radiolucent areas may be present due to the superimposition of
real/double or ghost images and because of soft tissue shadows and air spaces.
7. Due to prescribed rotation, patient with facial asymmetry or patients who do not conform to
the rotation curvature, cannot be X-rayed with any degree of satisfaction.
8. If the patient positioning is improper, the amount of vertical and horizontal distortion will
var from one part of the film to another part of the
film.
9. The ease and convenience of obtaining an OPG may encourage careless evaluation of a
patient’s specific radiographic needs.

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10. Artifacts are easily misinterpreted and are more commonly seen, e.g. nose ring as a
periapical radiopaque lesion, earring as a calcification in the maxillary sinus.
11. OPG shows an oblique, rather than true lateral view of the condylar heads and hence,
the joint space cannot be accurately assessed.
12. Some patients donot conform to the shape of the focal trough and some structures
will be out of focus.
13. The cost of the machine is very high.