Panoramic radiograph in pathology.

The panoramic radiograph is an excellent extraoral radiograph to reveal abnormalities and pathologic conditions of the jaws and to show calcification of adjacent soft tissue. A single panoramic radiograph provides a significant image of the maxillofacial skeleton and dentition and often is used as a survey or screening film because of the area it covers. The panoramic radiograph does not provide fine radiographic detail, however, and often is followed by intraoral radiographs that can provide sharper detail of an abnormal finding. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) often are utilized to further delineate the extent of a pathologic process found on panoramic radiograph.