What’s an OPG machine?
An OPG machine is a piece of equipment used to take a certain type of radiograph (x-ray) of your mouth, called an Orthopantomogram (or “OPG” for short.)
So…. what’s an OPG then?
An OPG is an x-ray which shows your entire mouth. It gives a great broad overview of everything that is happening in your entire upper and lower teeth, as well as the jaw bones too.
How is it different from other dental x-rays?
Some dental x-rays which we take in the dental chair are great for looking at fine details or assessing small areas such as a few teeth in isolation. The difference with an OPG is that it shows the entire mouth in one x-ray. It isn’t quite as detailed in the sense that small decays aren’t always visible, however it is great at assessing someone’s entire mouth in one view.
Why might I need an OPG?
There are quite a number of reasons why an OPG might be necessary as part of your dental care. An OPG will show all of your teeth, so it’s great for getting a clear view of your entire mouth. It will also show all unerupted teeth, so can be very helpful for children who still haven’t had all their adult teeth come into their mouth to assess the presence and eruption of their remaining adult teeth. An OPG also is great to assess the level of bone support around all the teeth in your mouth, as well as being excellent at determining where an important nerve known as the Inferior Alveolar Nerve (or IAN) is in relation to your lower wisdom teeth prior to extraction. An OPG can also give a broad overview and check if there are any cysts or abnormalities in the upper and lower jaw bones (the maxilla and mandible) which aren’t otherwise visible with regular smaller x-rays. An OPG can also be helpful and required if you are planning on having a dental implant, or if you are undergoing a significant medical procedure your medical GP may request us to provide “dental clearance” that your mouth is healthy, and an OPG can assist with this.
Is it painful to have an OPG?
Absolutely not! The machine will gently and slowly whir around the outside of your head while you remain still and there is no pain at all.
Does an OPG give you more radiation?
The OPG has a slightly higher amount of radiation relative to the other types of dental x-rays. However, with the use of digital imaging the radiation dose is still incredibly small and is about the equivalent of three days of radiation you receive just from background radiation during normal life!
How will I know if I require an OPG?
One of our friendly Fullarton Park Dental clinicians will discuss this with you should they feel you require an OPG. If you have any questions about OPGs, by all means feel free to ask them at your next appointment!
