What are OPG, Lateral and PA Ceph X-rays?

Panoramic radiographs, more commonly known as OPGs (orthopantomograms), are a special panoramic picture of your jaws. OPGs can be used for a variety of purposes from impacted wisdom teeth, checking development of teeth in children and as general screening as part of your dental check-up.

The Lateral Ceph and/or PA Cephs (or cepahlometry examination) are used for checking your facial bones and occlusion, often used in orthodontics.

While many radiology practices are digital, all Envision OPG and Ceph machines use only direct capture sensor technology, which are capable of producing some of the lowest radiation doses possible.

Being the only practice with full time AHPRA registered Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologists in residence, every one of these x-rays are reviewed by our on-site consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologists, Clinical Professor Bernard Koong or Dr Tom Huang. Reports and images are available to your doctor online and/or hard copy. Importantly, both our Maxillofacial Radiologists are always available to your doctor to discuss your individual case, which can substantially contribute to your diagnosis and/or management. Please feel free to refer to their summary biographies.

What happens during an OPG, Lateral or PA Ceph x-ray?

A. Before your x-ray

What to bring

• Your request form
• Any relevant previous imaging
• Your Medicare card

Preparation – On the day of your x-ray

The scans are quick, simple and require no preparation. You will be asked to remove jewellery or any other objects that may obstruct the scan.

B. During your OPG, Lateral or PA Ceph x-ray

Procedure

For the OPG you remain standing as the OPG machine rotates once around your head taking just 10 seconds to complete the scan. For the Lateral or PA Ceph examination, you remain standing and the machine obtains the image from the side or back. All you are required to do is to keep very still for the duration of the scan.

Risks and side effects

The OPG, Lateral or PA Ceph x-rays are very low risk procedures.  Envision uses only direct-capture technology, which allows us to perform these x-rays using ultra low-dose radiation. You may wish to discuss these potential very low risks versus benefits of the x-ray with your referring doctor.

If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, please discuss this with your doctor and also alert our staff before your scan.

Who will perform my procedure?

A radiographer will conduct your OPG and Lat Ceph X-ray.

What happens after an OPG and Lat Ceph X-ray?

How do I get my results?

Being the only practice with full time dental board (AHPRA) registered Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologists in residence, every one of these x-rays are reviewed by our on-site consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologists, Clinical Professor Bernard Koong or Dr Tom Huang. Importantly, our radiologists are always available to your doctor to discuss your individual case. This can substantially contribute to your diagnosis and/or management. Please feel free to refer to refer to their summary biographies.

For non-urgent cases, we ask that you allow 2-3 working days for the results. However, urgent cases can be expedited and our radiologists are also able to discuss the results with your doctor over the phone soon after the scan. Please let us know if this is the case.

Post procedural information

After your scan you will be able to return to your normal daily activities.