The panoramic unit is often used to cut down on

the amount of radiation the patient is exposed

too pared to a CMX. This technique is also
utilized to overcome certain limitations of
intraoral techniques, such as limited coverage of
the lower jaw and facial structures. Other
advantages of using the panoramic technique
include a quicker procedure, better coverage of
the dental arches, and earlier detection of many
dental problems. One interesting fact about a
panoramic X-ray is it is used for identification of
unidentifiable military members remains.

To produce a panoramic dental X-ray, a

narrow X-ray beam (much smaller than the
intraoral X-ray beam) is rotated horizontally
around the patients head. The X-ray tube
and film move, although the film moves in an
opposite direction of the tube. This is done
to ensure the resulting radiograph is
proportionally accurate. The dental X-ray
system used for this type of radiograph is the
panoramic unit.

Most panoramic units have standard features that

allow the patient to step up to the unit and place
their chin on a chin rest. The tube is mounted a
specified unadjustable distance from the cassette
and the only really selectable features are the
density of the patient. Once the exposure switch
is pressed, the tube head and cassette traverse in
a semicircle around the head. Only the area
directly in front of the tube on the cassette is
exposed, so the cassette not only rotates with
the tube movement, but advances the film also.

 Test

Equipment

Line

Voltage

Multimeter
Impulse counter (invasive, common in older units)
No load

Turn unit on
Check for adequate incoming power

Load

Take exposure
Voltage drops specified amount under controlled load
(Example: 2 VAC drop at 98 kVp)

Line strap adjustment

Check incoming voltage

Place line strap for proper operation based on incoming
voltage

 Electrical

Calibration

mA Preheat Calibration
Verifies voltage for warming up the filaments during preheat cycle
Important for safeguarding the filament coils during exposure
mA Calibration
Verifies tubehead current (mA)
Accomplished by taking an exposure
Dental units have fixed mA
kVP Calibration, load
Verifies output at all kVp settings (dental x-ray equipment is normally in
70-100 kVp range)
Accomplished by taking an exposure

 Exposure time verification

Panoramic exposure time check

Ensures consistent contrast and density

Exposes all teeth in approximately 15-20 seconds
Accomplished with a pulse counter taking exposures in
both directions

Cephalometric exposure time check

Exposes temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

Exposure time approximately 3 seconds for most units
Accomplished with a pulse counter taking exposures in
both directions

Final kVp Calibration Check

Last electrical calibration accomplished

Verifies kVp output after all other adjustments have been made

Mechanical Calibration (Alignment of Tubehead and Bite Guide)

Verification and Calibration Procedures.

Verifies x-ray exposure alignment

Accomplished by using fluorescent screen and taking an exposure
Verify the beam strikes the fluorescent screen properly (i.e. centered,
straight angle, horizontal, vertical)
Mechanical adjustment can be made to tubehead if out of tolerance

PMCS explain
Yearly maintenance checklist PM
General considerations
Technical instructions required
Operating instructions
Service manual

Test instruments and adjustment tools

Digital multimeter
Electromechanical Pulse counter