This high-yield revision note on CBCT vs OPG vs IOPA: When to Prescribe What? covers everything examiners typically test under Oral Radiology — structured as quick-reference tables, clinical correlations, mnemonics and previous-year-style high-yield points. It's built for last-mile revision before NEET MDS, INI-CET MDS and INBDE, so you can scan it in minutes instead of re-reading a whole textbook chapter.
| Modality | Dimension | Approx. Radiation Dose | Best Indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| IOPA (intraoral periapical) | 2D | Lowest (~1-8 µSv) | Individual tooth/periapical pathology, caries diagnosis, endodontic working length |
| OPG (orthopantomogram) | 2D panoramic | ~10-25 µSv | Screening, 3rd molar assessment, jaw fractures, overall survey of both jaws, growth evaluation |
| CBCT | 3D volumetric | ~50-1000+ µSv (much higher than 2D imaging, but far lower than a medical CT) | Implant planning, complex fractures, precise localization of impacted teeth, root canal/resorption anatomy, TMJ imaging, IAN canal proximity assessment |
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