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

Correct: Cat scan will give a 3-d view.Pan rex can only give 2d ...And palate cannot be seen.

Maybe: A panorex is a quick way of looking at things but a ct scan can show more details.

Possibly: It depends on what the er physician ordering the radiographs suspected. A cat scan will always show a bit more info.

It could: If the oral surgery was done on the lower jaw. I agree that a ct scan will provide a accurate diagnosis.

Not exactly: If the suspected fracture was in the palate or base of skull , then a mandibular view would not be necessary . Instead a view of the base of skull or a water's view would be more aplicable.