What is a cephalometric radiograph?
Cephalometric radiography is a diagnostic test used in orthodontic treatment planning. Thanks to X-rays, the orthodontist can observe the teeth, jaw and soft tissues much more accurately than simply visiting with the naked eye.
It is quite similar to the panoramic dental x-ray in that it shows the nasal and sinus passages and allows you to get a complete picture of the skull and neck.
However, it does not require the patient to bite down on a spatula as usual; cephalometric radiography, in fact, processes the image with a lateral displacement movement instead of a continuous 360 degrees.
What does it consist of?
Cephalometric radiography allows the observation of the patient’s skull in lateral projection, so the technician positions the subject respecting some specific criteria.
The exposure lasts about ten seconds and the radiograph takes about five to six minutes. When the latter is ready, the dentist uses a tracing paper to make a cephalometric tracing that will allow him to calculate how the patient’s jaw and surrounding bone will participate in the orthodontic treatment.
The dentist will then examine the growth pattern of the jaw and teeth and determine possible treatments.
Why is it done?
A cephalometric investigation is performed to:
– Analyze possible temporomandibular disorders (TMJ).
– Evaluate the causes of excessive misalignment of the teeth, especially in cases of mandibular retrusion or third class malocclusion.
– Diagnose tooth and jaw fractures.
– Accurately measure teeth and their roots.
– Orthodontic treatment plan.
What is the difference between cephalometric radiography and panoramic dental radiography?
These are two very similar tests. On the one hand, the panoramic dental x-ray is generally used for orthodontic testing, diagnosing the effects of wisdom tooth growth or periodontitis, evaluating dental occlusion and identifying a tumor of the oral cavity.
The patient is asked to bite down on a plastic spatula that helps him or her hold the head in the correct position and remain still until the image is complete and digitized on the computer or projected onto film, according to a more traditional approach.
Meanwhile, the cephalometric radiograph shows a lateral view of the face. That way, you can see the relationship of the jaw for each side as well as for the rest of the structures. It is useful especially to diagnose any problems in the pathways.