Panoramic X-ray

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Please help improve this article or section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.

A Panoramic X-ray is a dental radiograph of complete half-circle from ear to ear. It is a complete two-dimensional X-ray image of all teeth.

Dental X-rays photography (called radiography since X-rays are not in the visible light spectrum), are transitioning from chemical processes to electronic means. Usually this means the X-ray radiation is first converted to visible light with a scintillator (such as cesium iodide) and then imaged with a CCD area sensor, such as digital cameras have. There are other systems (phosphorus plate, intrinsic CCD imagers, etc.) The most sophisticated approach is to do a CT (AKA CAT) scan of the head which also yields full detail of the teeth. This is now being used for advanced dental work such as implants. The big advantages of digital (vs. chemical) imaging are: instantly viewable images, ability to enhance images, ability to email images to practitioners and clients, reduced X-ray exposure, and no darkroom is required.

Questions to be answered here: How does a panoramic X-ray work. The X-ray source and the film (or CCD) is on the opposite side of a person's head. Wouldn't this mean the X-ray beam goes through the teeth on the left and right side? How can the front teeth be imaged without seeing the spinal column? Is the X-ray source a single spot or is it in the form of a line? What is its path around the patient?