Practical Panoramic Imaging
Frankfort Horizontal/Occlusal Plane

Typically, the Frankfort plane (superior border of the external auditory meatus to the infraorbital rim) or plane of occlusion (vertical/up-down plane) is positioned parallel to the floor in panoramic imaging. The Tragal-canthus plane (tab in ear to outer corner of the eye), and the Ala-tragus (corner of nose to tab in the ear) plane are used to align the vertical position of the head as well. Some machines provide a horizontal alignment light to help assess the proper vertical position of the head. The patient’s forehead and chin should be in the same vertical plane.