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16. Appendices
PCT-90LH User Manual 185
EN
G
LISH
<How to product error-free radiographic images for the pediatric
patient>
(http://www.dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com/print.aspx?id=3612)
- By Evelyn M. Thomson, BSDH, MS
Panoramic radiographs are often recommended for assessing growth and
development of the pediatric patient and for evaluation of developing third molars
during adolescence.
1-3
While the panoramic technique seems relatively straight
forward, producing a diagnostic quality image of the pediatric patient requires a
mastery of technical skill.
4
Modern panoramic x-ray equipment is designed for ease of
use, yet studies continue to demonstrate a high incidence of errors.
5-7
Positioning
errors may occur at an even higher rate in pediatric panoramic radiographs.
7
The goal
of the dental hygienist is to maximize the use of panoramic imagery in the assessment
of the pediatric patient, while minimizing the occurrence of retakes that result from
radiographic error.
Producing A Quality Panoramic Image
A quality panoramic radiograph should image all of the teeth, erupted and unerupted,
in both the maxillary and mandibular arches from condyle to condyle in the horizontal
dimension, and from the superior third of the orbit in the superior region to the inferior
border of the mandible in the inferior region.
8,9
The arches should appear straight or
slightly U-shaped with the occlusal plane parallel to the horizontal edges of the film
(Figure 1) . The anterior teeth must not be magnified or diminished in size and
overlapping of adjacent posterior teeth should be kept to a minimum.
The most important component in producing a diagnostically acceptable panoramic
image is the patient positioning. All panoramic x-ray machines have guidelines to