Panoramic radiography, also called panoramic x-ray or panorex, is a two-dimensional (2-D) dental x-ray examination that captures the entire mouth in a single image, including the teeth, upper and lower jaws, surrounding structures and tissues.
The jaw is a curved structure similar to that of a horseshoe. However, the panorex (panoramic x-ray) produces a flat image of the curved structure. It is typically set to provide details of the bones and teeth.
An x-ray (radiograph) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.
Imaging with x-rays involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging.
Unlike a traditional intraoral x-ray where the film is placed inside of the mouth, the film for a panoramic x-ray is contained inside of the machine.
Common Uses for Panorex
A panoramic x-ray is a commonly performed examination by dentists and oral surgeons in everyday practice and is an important diagnostic tool. It covers a wider area than a conventional intraoral x-ray and, as a result, provides valuable information about the nasal area, maxillary sinuses, tooth positioning and gum and bone irregularities. This examination is also used to plan treatment for full and partial dentures, braces, extractions and implants.
A panoramic x-ray can also reveal the presence of an existing issue or potential problem such as:
- advanced periodontal disease
- oral cysts
- tumors and oral cancer
- impacted teeth
- temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
- sinusitis
