If your dentist has referred you for a Dental OPG in Coffs Harbour, Kare Radiology provides high-quality dental imaging from our Toormina clinic, conveniently located just south of Coffs Harbour.
An OPG, or Orthopantomogram, is a panoramic dental X-ray that captures a broad image of the teeth, upper and lower jaws, jaw joints and surrounding structures in a single examination. It is commonly used by dentists, orthodontists and other dental professionals to assess dental development, impacted teeth, wisdom teeth, jaw conditions and other areas that may require further investigation.
Dental OPG imaging is quick, non-invasive and generally requires no special preparation. The examination provides your dentist with a detailed overview of your teeth and jaws, helping support diagnosis, treatment planning and ongoing dental care.
At Kare Radiology, we combine modern digital imaging technology with a patient-first approach, making your dental imaging appointment as simple and comfortable as possible.
A Dental OPG is a specialised type of X-ray that produces a panoramic image of the mouth and jaw. Unlike a standard dental X-ray, which typically focuses on a small number of teeth, an OPG captures a much wider view in a single image.
The scan can show:
Because it provides such a broad overview, an OPG can be useful when your dentist needs information about several areas at once or is planning more complex dental treatment.
Your dentist or dental specialist may refer you for an OPG for a variety of reasons. One of the most common uses is assessing wisdom teeth, particularly when they are impacted, developing at an angle or causing pain. An OPG may also be requested to assess the general position and development of teeth, investigate jaw discomfort, review bone around the teeth, assess dental trauma, or help plan orthodontic and surgical treatment.
Depending on your individual circumstances, an OPG may form part of the assessment for:
Your dentist will determine whether an OPG is the most appropriate imaging examination for your needs.
Dental OPG imaging is frequently used to assess wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth often develop during the late teenage years or early adulthood and may not always erupt normally. In some cases, there may not be enough room within the jaw, causing the tooth to become impacted or grow at an angle.
An OPG allows your dentist or oral surgeon to see the position of all four wisdom teeth in relation to the surrounding teeth, jawbone and nearby structures. This information can help determine whether monitoring is appropriate or whether removal may need to be considered. If you have been referred for a wisdom teeth OPG in Coffs Harbour, the examination itself is generally quick and straightforward.
Orthodontists may use an OPG as part of an overall assessment before or during orthodontic treatment. The panoramic image can help show how teeth are positioned within the upper and lower jaws, including teeth that have not yet fully erupted. For younger patients, an OPG can also provide information about developing adult teeth beneath the gums.
This can assist orthodontists when assessing crowding, tooth eruption, missing teeth, impacted teeth and the overall development of the dentition. The OPG may be considered alongside other dental examinations and imaging when planning braces, aligners or other orthodontic treatment.
Dental imaging can play an important role when considering dental implants. An OPG provides an overview of the jawbone, surrounding teeth and the area where an implant may be placed.
It can help your dentist understand the broader dental anatomy and identify whether further imaging may be useful before treatment. In some cases, more detailed three-dimensional imaging may also be required depending on the type of dental procedure being planned. Your dentist or specialist will determine which imaging examinations are appropriate for your individual treatment.
An OPG may also be requested when investigating jaw pain or other dental symptoms. Because the image includes both sides of the jaw and the temporomandibular joint regions, it provides a broad overview that can assist your dentist when investigating certain jaw-related concerns. It may also help identify changes involving teeth, surrounding bone or other structures that require further investigation.
An OPG is only one part of the diagnostic process. Your dentist will interpret the imaging findings alongside your symptoms, dental examination and medical history.
Having a Dental OPG is generally simple and painless. Before the examination, you may be asked to remove jewellery, glasses, dentures or other metal objects around your head and neck because these can interfere with the image.
You will usually stand or sit at the OPG machine while your head is carefully positioned. You may be asked to bite gently onto a positioning guide and remain still while the machine rotates around your head. The actual image capture only takes a short period of time. Nothing enters your mouth other than the small positioning guide, and the equipment does not enclose your body.
Once the required image has been captured, you can usually leave immediately and continue with your normal activities.
No. A Dental OPG is a non-invasive imaging examination and should not cause pain. The machine moves around the outside of your head while you remain still.
For most patients, the entire process is straightforward and completed within a short appointment. If you experience jaw discomfort or have difficulty standing still, let our team know before the scan. We can explain the examination and help position you as comfortably as possible.
Dental OPG imaging generally requires very little preparation. You can usually eat and drink normally beforehand unless you have been given separate instructions relating to another examination.
You may need to remove items such as:
These objects can create artefacts on the X-ray image and make it more difficult to clearly assess the required anatomy. If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, please tell our team before the examination.
Yes. A valid referral is required for diagnostic imaging at Kare Radiology. Dental OPG referrals can be provided by dentists and other eligible healthcare practitioners.
If your referral has been made out to another radiology provider, you can still bring it to Kare Radiology. We accept valid imaging referrals regardless of which imaging provider is named on the form. When attending your appointment, please bring your referral and Medicare card, along with any relevant previous imaging if available.
Kare Radiology works with dentists and other healthcare practitioners throughout Coffs Harbour and the Mid North Coast. Our goal is to provide high-quality imaging together with a straightforward referral process and timely access to results. Once the examination is complete, images and reports can be made available securely to referring practitioners through Kare Radiology’s online systems.
Having a responsive local imaging provider helps dental professionals access the information they need when assessing patients, planning treatment or determining whether further investigation is required.
Modern digital imaging allows Dental OPG images to be captured efficiently and viewed in high detail. The panoramic format provides your dentist with a broad overview that would be difficult to achieve using individual dental X-rays alone.
High-quality imaging is particularly important when assessing the position of impacted teeth, bone structures and areas that may be difficult to examine directly during a dental appointment. At Kare Radiology, our broader approach to diagnostic imaging is built around investing in advanced technology and providing referrers with reliable, high-quality images to support clinical decision-making.
Dental imaging is often straightforward, but we understand that visiting a radiology clinic can still feel unfamiliar. Our team aims to make your Dental OPG appointment clear and comfortable from the moment you arrive.
We will explain how the examination works, position you correctly and let you know exactly what you need to do while the image is being captured. Kare Radiology is a locally owned, non-corporate practice with a focus on personalised medical imaging and genuine patient care.
Our aim is to combine modern technology with a friendly and supportive experience for patients throughout Coffs Harbour and the wider Mid North Coast.
Kare Radiology provides Dental OPG Coffs Harbour services from our clinic inside Toormina Gardens Shopping Centre. Our location at Shop 35–37, 5 Toormina Road, Toormina NSW 2452 is easily accessible for patients travelling from Coffs Harbour, Toormina, Sawtell, Boambee, Bonville and nearby communities.
Toormina Gardens provides ample free parking and wheelchair-friendly access, helping make dental imaging appointments convenient for local patients.
If your dentist or healthcare practitioner has referred you for a Dental OPG in Coffs Harbour, contact Kare Radiology to arrange your imaging.
With modern digital imaging technology, convenient access and a patient-first approach, Kare Radiology provides high-quality dental OPG imaging for patients and dental professionals across Coffs Harbour and the Mid North Coast.