panoramic x-rays cancer dental disease

These x-rays provide a good view of the entire jaw and surrounding areas. With this x-ray we can detect and monitor various conditions. For most individuals this x-ray will be taken once every 5-6 years. For others, it may be taken more frequently to monitor various conditions. The following cases are some of the examples of things "not quite normal" found at our office. Some are common, and some are much more rare. Ultimately, a panoramic x-ray is a very thorough way of helping to maintain and monitor your oral health.

Case #1: Hypercementosis.

In the area highlighted you will notice a large whitish mass around the roots of a tooth. This mass is an increased number of cells that line the root surface of the tooth. This is quite common and is generally not treated. This does, however, pose a concern if the tooth ever requires extraction as this mass can make it very difficult to remove the tooth.

Case #2: Florid Cemento-Osseous Dysplasia.

This condition is rarer than the above and of greater importance to be aware of. This condition involves multiple cyst like growths at the base of the teeth. Some individuals have this with one or two teeth, while others, like this individual, have it associated with multiple teeth. One of the cysts is highlighted for you. This condition causes expansion of the jaw bone, and in some cases displacement of the teeth (making them crooked). This condition is sometimes related to various systemic diseases and testing for these diseases is recommended. For this individual, the original diagnosis made 20 years prior was incorrect, and the condition has continued to progress since that time. Panoramic x-rays every 5 years would have caught this much earlier and allowed for better understanding of the rate of progression of this condition.

Case #3: Compound Odontoma

Radiopaque masses (white spots on an x-ray) in the jaw are quite common and have many possible sources. Many are just random increases in bone density which are normal for that individual. Others, like this one highlighted for you, is a cyst full of malformed teeth. In some individuals a clump of cells destined to become teeth develop into a cyst full of little malformed teeth or bits of teeth. In some cases these cysts are removed to prevent further growth of the cyst and damage to the jaw and other teeth. In other cases (if not caught soon enough), the risks of removal out weigh the risks of leaving it alone.

Case #4: Calcified lymph node due to childhood TB

The mass highlighted in this x-ray is that of a calcified lymph node in the patient's neck. The cause of this has been diagnosed as childhood exposure to TB (tuberculosis). This case is dormant and non-contagious, however, 10% of people who have asymptomatic TB will develop the active TB disease at some point later in their life, which has a 50% morbidity rate if left untreated. Standard tests for TB include chest x-rays as that is the most common spot for TB to be located. Finding TB on a panoramic x-ray is very rare, but very important when it is found. With this information, this patient can be diagnosed and treated appropriately if the inactive TB ever becomes active again.