Orthopantomogram: what is it and how is the examination performed?

The development of modern technologies does not stand still. And this makes it possible to improve the quality of life of every person. Thus, the medical industry also benefits from this. This article will deal with such a procedure as orthopantomogram: what is it, when it is applied and how is it carried out.

Terminology

To make it clearer, we must first understand the main terms. So, the orthopantomogram - what is it and what does the word mean? To put it briefly, it's just a panoramic, that is, completely covering two dental rows, an X-ray. This study provides an opportunity to consider:

• The structure of the teeth of the upper jaw.
• The structure of the teeth of the lower jaw.
• Also the upper jaw joint.
• The sinuses of the nose (accessory), etc.

That is, the picture shows complete information about the patient's dentition. The dentist himself from the snapshot can draw any conclusions that he needs, and consider the desired object of attention.

How are these images obtained? Here everything is simple, with X-ray diagnosis, various tissues of the human body absorb radiation with different intensities. Pictures can be obtained in two ways: on a film, as with all familiar photos, or on a special sensor that is connected to a computer.

A few words about the equipment

If you need a dental panoramic image (orthopantomogram), you will have to go to a dental clinic. After all, this procedure requires the presence of a special apparatus. He is called an orthopantomograph and looks completely intimidating. So, a person sits on a chair, puts his chin on a special stand and just waits for everything to be done. During the procedure, the patient feels neither pain nor discomfort. It's completely painless.

So, the person is assigned an orthopantomogram. How do the picture itself? The operating principle of the apparatus is as follows: the emitter will move around the circle of the region that is being investigated. At the same time, the receiver will receive a photograph of the footage. The receiver can be either a conventional film or a digital medium (today it is used most often because of convenience and economy).

Analog orthopantomograph - today is an older model of the device for panoramic photography. Over time, they are completely replaced by their digital counterparts. And all because the digital photo is better and can be stored for a long time. A snapshot from an analog device quickly fades and loses its clarity. Also, it's additional costs for film, developing, printing photos.

The most commonly used today is a digital orthopantomogram . The picture received from such a device is stored electronically in the computer, if desired, it can be printed. In addition, modern researchers say that digital orthopantomographs are less harmful, since they release less harmful rays in less quantity.

The picture itself is done for a couple of seconds, and the procedure lasts no more than 15 minutes. So the patient does not have time to get a dose of radiation harmful to the body . In addition, for protection on a special apron is worn, which helps to minimize exposure to the body.

Digital or analog picture? What to choose?

What should I know if an orthopantomogram is prescribed? What is it - figured out. It is also clear that in modern clinics there are two types of equipment. So which of the following is the best? From the above, we can draw a simple conclusion that it is still necessary to choose digital orthopantomographs. Their advantages are as follows:

• A digital camera needs much less time to take a picture. As a result, the patient's radiation is reduced by 90%!
• High speed of image acquisition. So, there is no need to show a film, print a photo. After the procedure, the image appears in a few seconds on special equipment. In addition, a huge plus is that there is no need to make a repeated panoramic shot, if there are problems in the process of developing the film. And this is again a great advantage for human health.
• A digital snapshot can be considered in more detail. If necessary, you can increase it to even more carefully analyze certain nuances.
• All digital pictures are stored on the computer. That is, they can be obtained as quickly as possible without going to the archive and rummaging through the patient's card-papers.
• Great convenience is also in the fact that the snapshot itself immediately gets to the treating doctor. This can be done through electronic data transmission.

A little about harmfulness

Having dealt with the term "orthopantomogram": what it is and how the procedure itself is carried out, - I want to say a few words about how harmful this is to health. After all, irradiation takes place, which, according to many people, clearly does not go for good.

As already mentioned above, the procedure is carried out for a fairly short time. In addition, the human body under the necessary protection and observance of security measures undergoes minimal exposure.

Information in figures: if an orthopantomogram of teeth is prescribed, the radiation dose for this procedure is 0.02 mSv. For comparison, it should be noted that for a year from the environment man is about 3.0 mSv. It is also important to emphasize that there are certain medical norms. For 12 months each person should not get artificially more than 1.0 mSv. At the same time, it is very important that all the X-rays that a person undergoes during a year should be recorded on his medical record. This is necessary in order to keep records and monitor the level of artificial exposure to the patient.

As a small conclusion, I must say that the use of a panoramic image has a greater weight for health than the small dose of radiation that an organism can receive in this type of study.

Indications for the procedure

It is worth noting that today it is not difficult to make an orthopantomogram. To do this, just go to the dental clinic, where there is appropriate equipment. However, in order to undergo this procedure, there must be an indication.

Initially, it should be noted that it is necessary to take a panoramic shot in the case when it comes to implantation. In this case, this study allows:

• To study bone tissue of teeth: density, volume.
• To study the condition of the roots of the teeth: their location, condition.
• To examine the condition of the maxillary sinuses, to see their location.
• A panoramic image allows you to choose a suitable implant for the patient.
• It is very important that this photo helps the doctor to better orientate in the course of surgical intervention.
• And, of course, the orthopantomogram makes it possible to make a correct and competent plan for treating the patient.

By the way, it is necessary to make an orthopantomogram also during the implantation itself. This is necessary, because the doctor must see the result of implantation of implants. And since this procedure with the use of digital devices is almost harmless, it is used throughout the process of surgical intervention.

Other indications

In what cases may still need a panoramic snapshot of the teeth?

• When treating various diseases that affect the gums and teeth. It can be like a regular flux, and cysts, granulomas, periodontitis, excessive mobility of teeth, etc.
• This image is important in the preparation for prosthetics.
• Orthopantomogram is often prescribed for various injuries of the patient's jaw system.
• The image is important in preparation for the procedure for tooth extraction.

Step-by-step actions during the procedure

Separately, I also want to give a description of the orthopantomogram. That is, describe the order of actions that the patient must perform during the procedure:

1. First of all, the patient will need to protect his body from the effects of rays using a special apron.
2. The device itself is higher than the patient. However, you can hold the procedure both standing and sitting. It all depends on the growth of the person who undergoes the procedure. So, the device is adjusted to its size.
3. The jaw is fixed and fixed. It is very important. After all, to get the most clear picture, the patient must be immobilized.
4. Then the scanner will move around the patient's head. Its purpose: to read the data and transfer it to a special device that will help the doctor to consider all that is necessary.

The diagnostic time takes no more than 15 minutes. This is enough to get the necessary information for further processing.

Orthopantomogram in operation

As already mentioned above, a snapshot of the teeth (orthopantomogram) can be done throughout the whole process of implant implantation. This is necessary, because the whole procedure is to some extent a piece of jewelry that requires precision, accuracy, accuracy from the surgeon. Even the smallest mistake in this case can lead to undesirable consequences. It is worth noting that this procedure is capable of giving answers to the doctor on all questions that may arise during the surgical intervention.

Stage one: preparation. It should be noted that in this period the orthopantomogram is very important. After all, the doctor needs to accurately assess the condition of the jaw, teeth, bone tissue. To understand whether there is enough room for implantation and whether everything is ready for surgery. So, based on the picture, the surgeon draws conclusions about whether to carry out bone build-up, what kind of implant type and size.

It is also worth noting that during the implantation there may be certain risks:

1. If it is a question of the upper jaw, it is possible to damage the maxillary sinuses.
2. If we are talking about the lower jaw, a huge risk of damage to the trigeminal nerve.

And only this procedure - orthopantomogram of teeth - reduces these risks to a minimum.

If the bone tissue was grown to the patient, this procedure allows for a qualitative tracking of the engrafting process.

Implantation: contraindications for

It is also worth noting that there are some contraindications to the implantation implantation operation. So, it, for example, a periodontitis or various kinds inflammatory processes in a zone of carrying out of surgical intervention. The orthopantomogram of the jaws makes it possible to see these problems on the pictures, to examine the inflammatory foci, the various problem areas (carious cavities, root formation, etc.). And as a consequence, to avoid serious problems during the surgical intervention.

Procedure after operation

Be sure after the operation you will need to take a panoramic shot. Orthopantomogram in this case makes it possible to consider the quality of performing the operations during the operation, the process of engrafting implants. Also, this procedure makes it possible to recognize various kinds of complications that can occur after any surgical intervention. Including after implantation.

As a small conclusion, it should be noted that orthopantomograms allow the doctor not only to perform his work qualitatively, but also to minimize the risk of postoperative undesirable consequences.

Preparation of treatment plan

This procedure is very important, because after receiving the pictures, the attending doctor can make a competent treatment plan that will lead to the fastest recovery. In this case, all actions with an approximate deadline should be specified. This list basically consists of the following most important points:

• Treatment of gums, teeth: is it necessary.
• Does the patient need bone growth (bone tissue)? This procedure is prescribed by the indications when its natural volume is insufficient.
• Selection of the type, implant implant model. Also, this procedure helps to determine and with the use of other equipment that may be needed in the process of surgical intervention.
• Selection of material, type and model of dental crowns, abutment, prosthesis.

It is also important to note that each of these items must necessarily be agreed with the patient. The doctor himself can give recommendations. This is all necessary, because depending on the quality and choice of the model of implanted parts, the price can vary.

Contraindications

In which cases is it best to abandon a procedure such as an orthopantomogram? First of all, it is undesirable during pregnancy. However, if the risk of developing a disease or problem is quite high, it can still be done.

Separately, parents are interested in whether this procedure is assigned to children. Of course yes. For babies it is absolutely not contraindicated, since an extremely small dose of irradiation occurs. The orthopantomogram of the child is the same important point during the treatment, as in the case of adults. His indicators can give the most important information to the doctor about the condition of the teeth and gums of the baby.

Technique for reading a snapshot

Where is the orthopantomogram done? Dentistry, that is, a dental clinic, is the place where this procedure can be performed. But just taking a picture is not enough. You must also be able to "read" it. The reading technique consists of three main points.

Evaluation of the quality of the image itself. So, the doctor looks, whether sharpness of the image, sharpness, contrast is sufficient. Whether in full measure it is possible to consider the field of research. Also, the doctor assesses the various distortions of the teeth and the state of the patient's jaws.

The next step is to assess the patient's bone tissue. In this case, the doctor draws attention to the following points:

• In what state are the interdental septa, their shape, height, condition, mineralization.
• Whether there is such problem, as reorganization of a bone structure of a tooth.
• The state of the jaw joints (pits, joint heads: whether there are any pathological changes) is assessed.
• Separately, it is necessary to assess the condition of the mandibular sinuses and canal (localization, the ratio of teeth, the presence of pathologies).

The third stage - the doctor is determined with the very object of the study. That is, he chooses for himself the next area of activity.

And the last, the fourth stage: this is an analysis of the shadow of the teeth. In such a case, the doctor should examine the condition of the patient's crown, the cavity of the tooth itself, the condition of its roots, characterize the root canals, and evaluate the periodontal gap.

And only after having taken all these steps by following these points, the doctor can prescribe adequate treatment that the patient will need to undergo.