Panoraamröntgen

Panoraamröntgen, also known as a panoramic radiograph or orthopantomogram, is a type of extraoral dental X-ray that captures a broad view of the lower and upper jaw, teeth, temporomandibular joints, and nasal and maxillary sinuses in a single image. It is a widely used diagnostic tool in dentistry.

The procedure involves a machine that rotates around the patient's head, emitting X-rays. The patient stands or sits in front of the machine, often placing their chin on a support and biting down on a small plastic piece to keep their head still. The X-ray beam travels in an arc, creating a flattened, two-dimensional representation of the three-dimensional structures of the mouth and jaw.

Panoraamröntgen provides a comprehensive overview, allowing dentists to assess the overall health of the teeth and supporting structures. It is particularly useful for identifying impacted teeth, such as wisdom teeth, assessing jaw fractures, detecting cysts and tumors, evaluating the extent of periodontal disease, and planning orthodontic or surgical treatments. It can also reveal developmental abnormalities in the teeth and jaw.

Compared to standard intraoral X-rays, panoraamröntgen offers a wider field of view and is generally quicker and more comfortable for the patient as it does not require placing film inside the mouth. However, it has a lower resolution for individual teeth than intraoral X-rays and is not as detailed for detecting early cavities between teeth. It is often used as a supplementary diagnostic tool rather than a replacement for intraoral radiography. The radiation dose is generally considered low.