OPG & Cephalometric X‑Ray Scans Sydney
An OPG (Orthopantomogram) and Cephalometric X‑ray are specialised dental imaging tests used to assess the teeth, jaw, bite, and facial bones. They are commonly requested by dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and TMJ specialists. At Advicon Imaging, Medicare-eligible dental X-rays are fully bulk-billed.
On this page
Description of OPG & Cephalometric X‑Ray
OPG and Cephalometric X-rays provide essential diagnostic information about the teeth, jaws, and facial structures.
An OPG (Orthopantomogram) is a panoramic dental X-ray that captures a wide, single image of the entire mouth—including all teeth, upper and lower jaws, temporomandibular joints (TMJ), and surrounding bone. It is useful for detecting infections, impacted teeth, wisdom teeth, fractures, cysts, bone loss, and developmental abnormalities. Dentists and oral surgeons commonly use OPG imaging for treatment planning, surgical assessment, and general dental health evaluation.
A Cephalometric X-ray (also called Lateral Ceph or AP Ceph) is a specialised skull X-ray that shows the teeth, jaw alignment, and facial profile from the side or front. It is a critical tool for orthodontists, helping them analyse bite relationships, growth patterns, airway size, and skeletal balance. Cephalometric imaging allows accurate measurements used for braces, jaw surgery planning, and facial growth assessment in children and adolescents.
Both OPG and Ceph X-rays are quick, painless, and use low radiation doses. No intraoral plates are needed, making them more comfortable than traditional dental films—especially for children or patients with gag reflex. At Advicon Imaging, our dental X-ray systems use digital technology for high-quality images and rapid reporting. All Medicare-eligible dental X-rays are bulk-billed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an OPG?
An OPG is a panoramic dental X-ray that captures all teeth, jaws, and surrounding bone in one wide image.
What is a Cephalometric X-ray?
A Ceph is a side or front facial X-ray used mainly by orthodontists to assess bite, jaw alignment, and facial structure.
Why has my dentist or orthodontist requested this?
Common reasons include:
- Assessing wisdom teeth
- Planning braces or clear aligners
- Investigating jaw pain or TMJ issues
- Detecting infections, fractures, or abnormal growth
- Evaluating facial profile before jaw surgery
Do I need preparation?
No special preparation is required.
- Remove earrings, glasses, dentures, retainers, or metal objects.
- Tie long hair back if possible.
- Inform us if you are pregnant.
What happens during the scan?
For an OPG:
- You stand still while the machine rotates around your head, taking a panoramic image.
For a Ceph:
- You stand in front of the machine while a side or frontal image of your face is taken.
Is the scan painful?
No. Both tests are painless and very fast.
Does it use radiation?
Yes, but the dose is extremely low—much lower than a standard CT scan and comparable to traditional dental X-rays.
How long does it take?
Each X-ray takes less than 30 seconds. The entire appointment is usually under 10 minutes.
Will I need more X-rays?
Your dentist or orthodontist may request additional X-rays depending on treatment planning or clinical concerns.
When will my dentist receive the results?
Reports and images are typically sent within the same day or 24 hours.
Are these scans bulk-billed?
Yes. Medicare-eligible dental X-rays are fully bulk-billed at Advicon Imaging.