What is the main purpose of panoramic radiography?

The main purpose of panoramic radiography is to image the entire dentition and surrounding structures. This type of radiograph captures a broad view of the upper and lower jaws, including the teeth, alveolar bone, and surrounding anatomical landmarks in a single image.

This comprehensive view is particularly beneficial for various diagnostic purposes, such as assessing the overall dental health of a patient, planning orthodontic treatment, identifying anomalies in tooth positioning, and evaluating the jaws for impacted teeth or potential dental issues. By allowing clinicians to visualize the entire mouth in one image, panoramic radiography facilitates more efficient diagnosis and treatment planning as opposed to methods that focus on isolated areas, like single-tooth images or assessments of specific conditions.