OPG and Lateral Ceph

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Orthopantomogram, or OPG, is an X-ray which looks at the lower face, teeth, jaw joints and maxillary sinuses. The teeth are displayed in a long flat line. This x-ray is useful to demonstrate the number of teeth as well as their position and growth, and is particularly useful to assess teeth that have not yet surfaced, such as wisdom teeth.

Lateral Cephalogram (or Lat Ceph) is an X-ray of the side of your face with very precise positioning. This is done so measurements can be taken to determine the current and future relationship of the top and bottom jaw (maxilla and mandible) and therefore assess the nature of your bite. This is particularly useful to plan orthodontic treatment that may be necessary. As treatment progresses, it is helpful to have any additional Lat Cephs taken at the same practice so that the x-rays can be easily compared.

How do I prepare?

There is no preparation required for OPG or Lat Cephs.
You will be asked to remove any jewellery or metal items from your head and neck area including hair accessories, dentures and plates.
You will not be able to have this scan if you are pregnant.

Technology and Team

Each of our practices use different equipment. Your OPG and Lat Ceph will be conducted by an experienced Radiographer.

A Radiographer (or Medical Imaging Technologist) is a university trained health professional who operates medical imaging equipment such as CT, X-ray and MRI scanners.

Radiographers work closely with Radiologists to ensure the best image is taken to assist with clinical diagnosis and to monitor or treat a patients illness or injury. Radiographers have a thorough understanding of the body’s structure, how it is affected by injury, and the causes and effects of disease.

What happens during my examination

You will be asked to stand inside the scanner while the scanner moves around your head. This takes approximately 10-15 seconds and it will not touch you.

During your scan you may be required to bite onto a mouthpiece attached to the machine. Your Radiographer will explain where and how to bite depending on the scan type.

After your examination

The results of your OPG or Lat Ceph scan will be sent directly to your referring Doctor and we encourage you book a timely follow-up appointment to discuss your results with them.

Locations providing this service

Browns Plains

14 Grand Plaza Drive,
Browns Plains, QLD, 4118

Cairns Private Hospital

144 Lake Street,
Cairns, QLD, 4870

Capalaba

Ground Floor,
Rickey Street,
Capalaba, QLD, 4157

Cleveland

43 Wynyard Street,
Cleveland, QLD, 4163

Coorparoo

342 Old Cleveland Road,
Coorparoo, QLD, 4151

Domain Central

21a/I Domain Central,
103 Duckworth Street,
Townsville, QLD, 4812

Douglas Discovery Rise

Clinical Practice Building,
James Cook Drive (cnr Mt Stuart Street),
Douglas, QLD, 4814

Fairfield

Fairfield Homemaker Centre
1 Darcy Drive
Idalia Qld 4811

Gold Coast Airport Central

Airport Central, 1 Eastern Avenue, Bilinga, QLD, 4225

Greenslopes Private Hospital

Lower Lobby Level,
Newdegate Street,
Greenslopes, QLD, 4120

Helensvale

GC North Medical Hub
Helensvale Homeworld
Tenancy 78, First Floor
502 Hope Island Road
Helensvale QLD 4212

Logan Central

1 Wembley Rd
Cnr Wembley and Kingston Roads
(Service Road)
Logan Central, QLD, 4114

Logan Road

589 Logan Road,
Greenslopes, QLD, 4120

Loganholme

62 Bryants Road,
Loganholme, QLD, 4129

Mackay Fourways

96 Nebo Road,
West Mackay, QLD, 4740

Market Square

Ground Floor, 309 Mains Road
(Cnr Elva Street)
Sunnybank, Qld, 4109

Mater Hospital Brisbane

4th Floor, 32 Raymond Terrace,
South Brisbane, QLD, 4101

Mater Private Hospital Mackay

76 Willetts Road,
North Mackay, QLD, 4740

Mater Private Hospital Pimlico

Mercy Centre
25 Fulham Road (access via Diprose Street)
Pimlico, QLD, 4812

Mater Private Hospital South Brisbane

301 Vulture Street,
South Brisbane, QLD, 4101

Mater Private Hospital Springfield

30 Health Care Drive,
Springfield Central, QLD, 4300

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital

Cnr of Kessels and Troughton Roads,
Coopers Plains, QLD, 4108

Russell Street

127 Russell Street,
Toowoomba, QLD, 4350

Southport

128 Queen Street ,
Southport, QLD 4215

St Vincent’s Hospital Brisbane

411 Main Street,
Kangaroo Point, QLD, 4169

Sunnybank Private Hospital

Level 1, Sunnybank Private Medical Centre
245 McCullough Street,
Sunnybank, QLD, 4109

Taringa

Ground Floor, 32 Morrow Street, Taringa, QLD, 4068

Upper Mount Gravatt

Ground Floor,
1985 Logan Road,
Upper Mount Gravatt, QLD, 4122

Warwick

51 Wood Street,
Warwick, QLD, 4370

Westcourt

318 Mulgrave Road,
Cairns, QLD, 4870

Wynnum

101 Clara Street,
Wynnum, QLD, 4178

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