Identifying Panoramic Errors

Panoramic radiographic imaging is technique sensitive. The clinician must address all aspects of machine and patient preparation, patient positioning, patient instruction and exposure to produce a quality image. A number of authors indicate that the quality of panoramic radiographic images taken either in an institutional setting,^14-16,19-21 in general dental practice or submitted to third party insurance providers^17,18 is low. In most instances, a low percentage of panoramic images were found to be error free and many panoramic images demonstrated multiple errors.^15-22

In 2014, Rondon et al.,²⁰ conducted a review of the literature to determine the most common types of patient positioning errors. The most common positioning errors that resulted in a retake or repeated panoramic radiographic examination were respectively: 1. Head positioned too far forward, 2. Head turned right or left, 3. Head tilted down, and 4. Head positioned too far backward.¹⁹

Asha et al. conducted a review of 560 digital panoramic radiographs in 2018.²¹ They found the most common errors in order by percentage of occurrence were: 1. Chin tipped too high, 2. Head twisted, 3. Chin tipped too low, 4. Head too far backward, 5. Tongue not on palate, 6. Slump spine, and 7. Head too far forward.²¹