A fracture in the upper palate or the skull base was suspected due to the oral surgery. instead of getting inferior view of the mandilble, the er took panoramic x-ray of the teeth. is this right?

It depends: The line of the fracture best determines the best film to take. If the line of the fracture is not known, then multiple views may be the best way to find the line of fracture. To answer your question, a panoramic x-ray may find all the damage or it may not; it depends on the line of fracture.....

May be: The change in the alignment of the teeth or the open bite appearance on the panoramic may indicate a broken jaw. Broken jaw from oral surgery procedure is very rare! cone beam ct probably would be a film of choice!

No, but: A fracture of the palate typically doesn't need treatment. A panorex can't detect a fracture of the palate. It is best for looking at the lower jaw and the general structure of the teeth.

New technology: The state of the art of dental imaging is a cone beam ct. A low dose 3d image. The hospital does not have that technology probably. Twice we diagnoses fractures that the er missed. The panoramic x-ray was the best they had i guess.

Palate: May want to get additional views as a palatal fracture is difficult to detect, especially if minor (as would be from this mode of injury). Additional views can include a maxillofacial CT with coronal, axial and sagittal views. A thorough clinical exam is warranted as well, as a good exam can uncover a wealth of information in a relatively easy manner.