The Orthopantomography (OPG) vr. Computed Tomography (CT) in Dental Images

Abstract

Medical images of the maxillofacial anatomy can be considered one of the most widespread and important in diagnostic imaging today.

An image of the masticatory apparatus is relevant from the point of view of medicine for treatments as common as orthodontics to complex treatments such as bone implants.

Currently, the types of diagnostic images most used in this field are Traditional Panoramic Radiography in the field of Orthopantomography (OPG) and Computed Tomography (CT).

Current dentists and doctors request this type of medical examination to diagnose diseases, injuries, or studies prior to treatment. Since these medical images are the most common and widespread, it is important to know what characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages each of them offers in the context of dentistry and what specific clinical applications exist for OPG and CT.

This investigation will also expose not frequently studied topics in medical images of the maxillofacial system and dentistry, such as the calculation of dose and radiological protection in both OPG and CT. Basic aspects of image quality in both types of image acquisition will also be briefly discussed. Finally, a comparison between both methods is presented.