A lateral cephalogram is a special type of X-ray that captures a side view of your entire head — from your skull and jaw to your teeth and soft tissues. It helps us see how everything lines up from a profile perspective.
What is it used for?
This X-ray isn't just about your teeth — it shows us the bigger picture of how your jaws, teeth, and facial structure relate to each other.
Orthodontic planning: Before starting braces or aligners, we use it to analyze your bite, jaw position, and tooth angles. It helps us plan the best way to move your teeth and predict how your profile will change.
Jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery): If your jaw alignment needs surgical correction, this X-ray is essential for planning the procedure and measuring results.
Growth assessment: For kids and teens, we can track how the jaws are growing over time and catch problems early.
How is it taken?
It's quick and painless — just like a regular X-ray, but you'll be positioned differently.
- Positioning: You'll stand or sit with your head held steady in a special frame. We'll make sure you're looking straight ahead with your teeth together in a natural bite.
- The scan: The X-ray machine rotates around your head, capturing a full side-view image. It takes about 10–15 seconds. You just need to stay still.
- Results: The image shows up immediately, and we can analyze your jaw structure, tooth position, and facial proportions right away.
What can we see on it?
The relationship between your upper and lower jaws
The angle of your front teeth
Your airway size (important for breathing issues)
Bone structure and facial balance
How your lips and chin relate to your teeth
Is it safe?
Yes. The radiation exposure is minimal — much lower than a regular medical X-ray. We also use lead aprons to protect the rest of your body.
Do you need one?
We'll recommend a lateral cephalogram if:
You're starting orthodontic treatment
You're planning jaw surgery
You're getting implants in the lower front area
We need to monitor jaw growth in a growing child
