Orthodontic treatment has long been a solution for correcting patients’ dental function and aesthetics, with many patients feeling self-conscious if they have misaligned teeth or struggle to keep their mouth clean. As such, it is important that clinicians who provide orthodontic treatment are well equipped to provide tailored care to patients, using accurate equipment for predictable outcomes.
A variety of imaging techniques may be required to diagnose and treat orthodontic patients, depending on the specific needs of each case. Options may include panoramic radiographs, cephalometric x-rays, and 3D CBCT scans. As such, it’s important to have a good understanding about what benefits are afforded by each type of imaging, and when it may be appropriate to use them.
Panoramic x-rays
A panoramic x-ray is a great way to capture a broad view of the dentition, enveloping the jaws, sinuses, and nasal area too. It offers a wider view than a conventional x-ray and therefore provides useful information about the tooth positioning and any bone abnormalities. This makes it helpful for the planning of orthodontic treatment.[i] The principal use of a panoramic x-ray is to assess the presence, position, and morphology of any uninterrupted teeth. It should also be noted that, because this is intended as a broad view of the whole mouth, and it is unlikely to be helpful for the diagnosis of pathologies, especially as the image is shallow, and may exclude parts of the dentition.[ii]
Cephalometric x-rays
A cephalometric x-ray provides a side view of the head. It shows the relationship between the teeth and jaws, and can be particularly helpful in orthodontic treatment.[iii] This is because it can be used to assess the temporomandibular joint and the causes of tooth misalignment (especially overbite and underbite), and diagnose any tooth and jaw fractures and analysing the precise measurements of teeth and their roots. [iv] In addition to aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning, cephalometric x-rays may be used for monitoring treatment progress.[v]
3D CBCT imaging
Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is able to create 3D images of the teeth and jaws, with results offering high resolution images which are excellent for diagnosis and treatment planning accurately. CBCT scans also provide a view of the soft tissue and nerve pathways. The 3D nature of the scan is particularly helpful in the planning of orthodontic treatment as it allows the clinician to visualise the clinical situation in 3D space; viewing teeth in relation to each 
other, the jaw bone, and the gums.
Specific areas where 3D CBCT imaging is useful include the accurate localisation of unerupted maxillary canines, identification of root resorption, assessment of unerupted dilacerated teeth, and in planning the surgical removal of supernumerary teeth.[vi]
High-quality, versatile equipment
The amount of equipment available in the practice will often depend on the types of treatment provided. As such, for those providing orthodontic treatment, it’s important to have high-quality, versatile imaging equipment on hand to meet your daily needs. Sometimes, space in the practice is at a premium, so investing on one piece of equipment which is able to perform multiple functions can be very helpful, and ensure that images can be taken within the practice for a smoother experience for the patient, and workflow for the dental team.
Versatility, dedicated low dose settings, and high image quality are just a few of the characteristics that make the Orthophos S, from Clark Dental, the perfect addition to any practice offering orthodontics. When used as part of an orthodontic workflow, it offers safe and efficient treatment and supports you in reaching an accurate diagnosis efficiently. The Orthophos S system is able to produce a range of images, including panoramic and 3D CBCT, along with the option of adding a ceph arm on the left or right, depending on your preference and practice space.
When a practice is equipped with a versatile imaging solution that enables them to accommodate the needs of their orthodontic patients all in one place, they are able to more effectively diagnose, treatment plan, and monitor patient throughout their course of treatment and beyond. When clinicians offer orthodontic treatments regularly, making considered decisions about the type of imaging required on a case-by-case basis will help inform accurate diagnoses and enable them to produce a predictable treatment plan in every case.
For more information call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146, email info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk
Aurthor: Stuart Clarke
[i] Radiology Info. Panoramic dental x-ray. Accessed Dec 24. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/panoramic-xray
[ii] British Orthodontic Society. Guidelines for the use of radiographs in clinical orthodontics. Accessed Dec 24. https://bos.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Orthodontic-Radiographs-2016-2.pdf
[iii] Cleveland Clinic. Dental X-rays. Accessed Dec 24. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/11199-dental-x-rays
[iv] Top Doctors UK. What is a cephalometric x-ray? Accessed Dec 24. https://www.topdoctors.co.uk/medical-dictionary/cephalometric
[v] British Orthodontic Society. Guidelines for the use of radiographs in clinical orthodontics. Accessed Dec 24. https://bos.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Orthodontic-Radiographs-2016-2.pdf
[vi] British Orthodontic Society. Guidelines for the use of radiographs in clinical orthodontics. Accessed Dec 24. https://bos.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Orthodontic-Radiographs-2016-2.pdf
