What must be included in a panoramic image to meet diagnostic criteria?

To meet diagnostic criteria for a panoramic image, it is essential to capture the entire mandible and all dentition. This comprehensive coverage is crucial because panoramic radiographs are designed to provide a wide view of the oral cavity, allowing for the assessment of both the maxillary and mandibular structures, including teeth, bone, and surrounding tissues. By including the entire mandible and all dentition, practitioners can identify potential issues such as impacted teeth, bone lesions, abnormalities, and other dental pathologies effectively.

A panoramic image that includes only selected regions, such as the maxillary arch, or focuses narrowly on certain teeth, would not provide the necessary information for a thorough diagnosis. Additionally, capturing only specific teeth based on symptoms or isolating particular regions like only molars and premolars limits the diagnostic utility of the image and may result in missed conditions that could be impacting overall dental health. Therefore, to fulfill diagnostic needs, it is imperative that panoramic images encompass the complete mandible and all teeth.