Anatomical Features and Pathologies in Orthopantomogram

Abstract

One of the most commonly utilized plain film tomographic scans is the orthopantomogram. Dentists frequently request an OPG as a screening tool. Due to its accurate depiction of the jaws and entire dentition, it is also a powerful diagnostic instrument for determining pathology such as dental disease, cysts, maxillofacial trauma, and dental emergencies. For patients of pediatric age and adults, the examination of the masticatory normal anatomy during OPG differs. The adult tooth's radiographic anatomy, which is accessible by OPT, lacks the same level of granularity as the radiographic anatomy assessed by intraoral radiographs. Even though resolution is not as precise as intra-oral radiographs for the examination of the teeth, major alterations in the calcification of the tooth structure and alterations in the maxillary and mandibular ossifications can help identify dental disease, like caries (decay), periodontal bone resorption, abscessual lesions and cyst formation. The main anatomical characteristics of an OPG are described in this article, along with some typical pathologies that might be present. Unless a methodical technique is adopted to explore the structures present, the viewer may find the vast amount of data visible on an OPG to be overwhelming. As the mandibular plane and dentition are distorted due to straightening of the curve, the observer is presented with a broader view of these structures but requires them to be reinterpreted to enable the observer to fully appreciate the image in three dimensions.