In the daily practice of the dentist, a picture of the patient's oral cavity is often necessary to make the correct diagnosis. Depending on the requirements of the doctor, it can be panoramic or panoramic. The latter option is otherwise called "orthopantomogram." What are his contraindications? How does this procedure go? The answers to these and other questions can be found in today's article.
OPTG snapshot - what is it?
OPTG, or orthopantomogram, is a panoramic picture of the dentofacial system, made on an unusual apparatus - an orthopantomograph. This diagnostic method is widely used in modern dentistry.
With it, a specialist evaluates the condition of the teeth, their placement. Through such a picture, he can examine pathologies in the maxillary sinuses or soft tissues around. A well-performed procedure allows you to make the correct diagnosis. And without it, it is impossible to start therapy in a timely manner, thereby preventing the appearance of complications of the disease. After all, many diseases occur without pronounced symptoms.
Indications for the procedure
The image of OPTG gives a detailed and visual representation of the state of various sections of the jaw system. With its help, an experienced specialist can even consider latent inflammations that cannot be recognized by a conventional radiograph.
This technique also allows you to determine:
- depth of gingival pockets;
- cystic formations and granulomas;
- density, volume of the posterior tissues;
- the presence of carious cavities;
- condition of filling material;
- chronic inflammatory processes;
- condition of the maxillary sinuses.
A picture of an OPTG of teeth is necessarily prescribed before implantation. A detailed image allows you to create the most effective treatment plan. Orthopantomogram also helps to control the process of implantation of “artificial teeth”.
There are other indications for the purpose of this procedure. Among them are:
- preparation for prosthetics or surgery;
- periodontitis;
- injuries of the jaw system;
- elimination of tooth mobility;
- an abscess in the oral cavity;
- preparation for the removal of wisdom teeth or other problematic units.
An orthopantomogram is prescribed not only for adults, but also for young patients. With the help of a high-quality image, the orthodontist learns how the dentition changes, whether the roots are formed. After all, it is in adolescence that one has to face many dental problems. This is a malocclusion, and an incorrect arrangement of individual teeth, and dysfunction of the speech apparatus. Before starting treatment of these pathologies, all patients, without exception, the doctor prescribes a picture of OPTG. A photo of the dentoalveolar system allows competent planning of future therapy. With it, you can prevent the development of complications in the future.
Possible contraindications
In what cases is it better not to take an OPTG image? It is recommended to refuse this type of diagnosis during pregnancy. If there is still a need for a panoramic picture, the dentist must assess the potential risks to the fetus inside the womb.
Specialists warn that no more than 100 orthopantomogram procedures are allowed per year. Usually they resort to her help twice: first during the period of diagnosis, and then after a course of therapy to assess the dynamics of recovery.
Procedure Technique
Diagnostics is carried out only in a specially equipped office. Before the procedure, the patient must remove all jewelry and metal objects, as they interfere with the normal passage of x-rays. A lead apron is put on the patient’s chest to protect against radiation, and the neck area is covered with a collar.
How is the procedure carried out? The patient becomes facing an unusual device - an orthopantomograph. During the study, it is necessary to stand level, pressing the chest to the platform. For convenience, the device has special handrails. Then you should bite the plate with your teeth and maintain the correct position of the jaw. After the preparatory phase, the specialist turns on the device.
During the procedure, the scanner tube begins to slowly rotate around the head, making a characteristic noise. The image is immediately transferred to film or a digital device. Sometimes the doctor asks the patient to tilt or turn his head so that the image of OPTG is of high quality. The described process takes no more than 10 minutes.
Technologies used in the work
In medical practice, 2 types of orthopantomograms are used: film and digital. In the first case, the laboratory assistant needs additional time to develop the obtained images. However, the result is difficult to maintain for a long time. In sunlight, it quickly loses its original clarity.
What features of a digital picture of OPTG? During the procedure, the patient receives a minimum dose of radiation. Its results are easily stored on any digital media. You can enlarge the picture, adjust the sharpness or add contrast.
Today, doctors prefer digital methods of orthopantomograms, because they have many advantages:
- instant result
- there are no time costs for developing and printing pictures;
- radiation dose is reduced by 90%;
- there is no need for a second procedure due to a poor-quality image;
- the results are stored on a computer, they can be accessed at any time.
The results of the examination immediately go to the attending physician in electronic form. He can start therapy in a timely manner or send pictures to other specialists for consultation.
Service cost
An orthopantomogram is prescribed by a dentist, less often an otolaryngologist. Unfortunately, not all specialized medical institutions provide such a service. Most often, an OPTG image is taken in large dental centers where the necessary equipment is available.
The price of panoramic diagnostics can vary from 600 to 1 thousand rubles. This cost usually includes decrypting the results and storing them on a digital medium. This variation in prices is due to several factors: the prestige of the clinic, the qualifications of the doctor, etc.