Panoramic imaging apparatus

Abstract

A panoramic imaging apparatus is provided, which is able to freely display a focus-optimized internal structural image of the tooth row depending on a position using image data acquired by only one-time X-ray panoramic imaging from an arbitrary section along a patient's tooth row. The panoramic imaging apparatus comprise an X-ray source () and a detector () outputting a digital electrical signal depending on an incident X-ray at a constant frame rate. This apparatus further comprises means () for moving a pair of the X-ray source and the detector around an object in a state where the X-ray source and the detector are opposed to each other with the object located therebetween, means () for sequentially storing, as frame data, the electrical signal outputted by the detector, means () for producing a panoramic image of a desired section of the object based on the frame data, and means () for producing a partial sectional image using the frame data, the partial sectional image being an image of a partial region specified on the panoramic image and being focused depending on a desired position in an imaging space.