Orthopantomogram (OPG) X-ray

OPG X-ray has no contraindications and anyone can get it done. Although, if you’re pregnant, you should let your doctor know.

This test can be done to help in diagnosing the following problems:

• Tooth positioning and other bone abnormalities
• Jaw tumours and oral cancer
• Impacted teeth, including wisdom teeth (Read more: Wisdom tooth pain)
• Sinusitis
• Advanced periodontal disease
• Cysts in the jawbones
• Jaw disorders (Read more: Jaw pain)
• Bone loss in the jawbone from gum disease or a missing tooth
• Tooth decay, especially under a filling or between two teeth (Read more: Cavities)
• Tooth infections, including abscesses at the end of a tooth root or below the gum line
• Hyperdontia and hypodontia (the conditions of having too many or too few teeth genetically)
• Dislocated jaw
• Fractured jaw

This test can also help in planning surgeries and treatment for dentures, extractions, braces and implants. (Read more: Artificial teeth)

You do not need any extra preparation for this test. Take off your jewellery, glasses and other articles that may interfere with the results. You may need to wear a lead apron to protect yourself from exposure to radiation that may scatter from the x-ray. Your doctor should be informed if you are pregnant or if there is any chance that you may be pregnant so that the necessary precautions may be taken to protect the foetus from radiation.

The procedure to be followed is as given below:

• You will be placed in the centre of the equipment.
• The technician will adjust your position in the equipment and secure your head.
• The equipment can be adjusted in the sitting or standing position depending on whether the patient is in a wheelchair or able to stand.
• A bite-blocker will be inserted in your mouth to allow the teeth to be aligned properly.
• Proper placement of head and teeth helps in achieving a clear and accurate image.
• You will have to stay still when the rotating arm of the equipment is moving in the semi-circular motion around your head.
• The images are being captured during this time.

The time taken to capture images is 12 to 20 seconds.

The x-ray OPG is:

• Painless
• Easy
• Fast

In case you have a sensitive gag reflex, this test may replace an intraoral x-ray.

The x-ray can be an indication of any of the following conditions:

• Infection such as sinusitis, periodontitis or periapical abscesses
• Tumour or radicular cyst
• Foreign body localization
• Caries or pulp origin disease
• Sialolithiasis (salivary stone) (Read more: Salivary gland problems)
• Fractures or dislocation of temporomandibular joint
• Temporomandibular joint disease
• Facial bone disease
• Trauma to tooth
• Jaw fractures

The benefits of the OPG x-ray are as follows:

• X-rays usually have no side effects within the diagnostic range at which it is normally used.
• After the x-ray, no radiation is present in the patient's body.
• OPG x-rays can be performed in young children as the film need not be kept inside the mouth.

The risks associated with OPG x-ray are as follows:

• Let your doctor know in case you are pregnant or there is a chance of being pregnant as the fetus could develop birth defects on being exposed to radiation.

You can go home immediately and continue with your daily activities.

Additional tests that may be performed are periapical radiograph or CT scan.

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.