Orthopantomogram (OPG/panoramic)
Definition
A single wide-field radiograph capturing all teeth, both jaws, and the surrounding bone in one image. Produced by a rotating X-ray source and sensor. Useful as an overview but lacks the detail of periapical views.
- Coverage
- All teeth, both jaws, surrounding bone
- Image count
- Single wide-field image
- Production method
- Rotating X-ray source and sensor
- Limitation
- Less detail than periapical views
Common questions
Why use an OPG when it has less detail than periapical radiographs?+
An OPG captures the full dental arch and jaw structure in one exposure, which is efficient for an initial overview, screening for restorations, missing teeth, or bone pathology across the whole mouth, before ordering targeted periapical films of any specific tooth requiring closer detail.
What makes an OPG useful specifically for postmortem identification?+
Because it images the entire dentition and jaw in one standardised format, an OPG is commonly available as an antemortem dental record that can be directly compared against a postmortem panoramic radiograph for overall pattern matching, such as tooth presence, restorations, and jaw morphology, before finer periapical comparison if needed.
Related terms
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- Dental Crazing
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- Full-Mouth Periapical Series
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- Jaw Resection
- Surgical removal of the mandible and/or maxillary alveolus from the body to allow better radiographic positioning and more thorough examination. An irreversible...