Panoramic dental X-ray in Casablanca

What is a panoramic X-ray?

The panoramic dental X-ray goes by several names: OPG, OPT, orthopantomogram, dental panoramic or « panorex ». They all mean the same examination: the device rotates around your head and « unrolls » both arches onto one image, like a panoramic photo.

What it shows

• All teeth and their roots, including wisdom teeth and impacted teeth;
• deep decay, infections at root tips and previous root canal treatments;
• the bone level around teeth and implants;
• cysts and other jaw lesions;
• in children, the adult teeth developing under the baby teeth.

What it does not show

A panoramic is a two-dimensional image, slightly enlarged and distorted in places. It cannot accurately measure bone width or the distance to the nerve: that requires a cone beam CT (CBCT). For detail between two teeth, periapical X-rays are more precise.

When to have one

• First assessment with a new dentist, or routine check;
• Wisdom teeth: position and impaction, before extraction;
• Orthodontics: initial assessment, often with a lateral cephalometric X-ray (ceph) — see orthodontics;
• Before an implant, as a first overview, then follow-up after placement;
• Pain that is hard to locate, swelling, gum follow-up.

The examination

1. You remove jewellery, earrings, glasses and any removable appliance.
2. You stand in the device, chin on a rest, gently biting a small block.
3. Press your tongue against the palate and stay still while the arm rotates around your head, about fifteen seconds.
4. The digital image appears immediately.

The examination is painless and also suitable for children, as soon as they can stay still.

Referred by another dentist?

The clinic also welcomes patients referred by their dentist, orthodontist or surgeon for imaging only. Simply:

1. Book an appointment by phone on +212 6 97 88 85 80 or on WhatsApp, stating the prescribed examination;
2. bring the prescription, an ID and, if you have them, your previous X-rays;
3. leave with your images in the format of your choice: USB stick, CD, email or WhatsApp, DICOM files for your dentist's software, or printouts.

No prescription? Dr Zniber examines you first and chooses the examination you need, no more, no less.

How to prepare

• Remove jewellery, piercings, earrings, glasses and hair clips: metal creates artefacts on the image.
• Take out any removable appliance or denture, unless your dentist says otherwise.
• Tell us if you are or might be pregnant: the examination is postponed or replaced whenever possible.
• Stay still during the acquisition, which only lasts a few seconds.

Radiation dose: very low-dose examinations

Digital dental imaging uses low doses. The values below are orders of magnitude: they vary with the device, the settings and the area examined.

Each examination is only performed when it is useful for your diagnosis or treatment, with the smallest possible field of view.

Need a panoramic? Call +212 6 97 88 85 80 or send your prescription on WhatsApp.