X-ray Source and Other Factors

Figure 1. Digital Panoramic Unit Control Panel.

Figure 1. Digital Panoramic Unit Control Panel.

Source: 2009 Proline Panoramic XC, Planmeca

Intraoral x-ray units have a round or rectangular x-ray collimator with the projected beam being slightly larger than the intraoral receptor. In comparison, panoramic x-ray units have a narrow vertical slit aperture. With intraoral x-ray units, the vertical and horizontal angle of the PID (position indicating device) is adjusted for each projection and centered over the image receptor. The panoramic x-ray tubehead is fixed at a negative angle (approximately -10°) and rotates behind the patient’s head during the exposure cycle.

Figure 2. Digital Panoramic X-ray Unit.

Figure 2. Digital Panoramic X-ray Unit.

Source: 2009 Proline Panoramic XC, Planmeca

Figure 3. Intraoral X-ray Unit.

Figure 3. Intraoral X-ray Unit.

Source: 2002 Heliodent DS, Sirona