Dental Panoramic X-ray

A dental panoramic X-ray shows all the teeth and both jaws in one image. Dentists use it frequently for treatment planning.

What it shows

A panoramic image shows upper and lower teeth, tooth roots, jawbone, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and the maxillary sinuses. Dentists can see teeth that have not erupted, such as wisdom teeth, as well as the surrounding bone.

The exam is often used for braces planning, wisdom tooth extraction, and implant assessment.

Procedure

The patient stands or sits with the chin and bite placed as directed by the operator. The machine rotates around the head and captures the image in a single pass.

Patients are asked to remove jewelry, glasses, and removable dentures before the exam.

Safety and limitations

The dose from a panoramic X-ray is relatively low, but it is still considered. Dentists usually request additional imaging such as CBCT for cases that need three-dimensional detail.

A panoramic image cannot show fine details of cavities on tooth surfaces. Clinical examination is still required.

Key points

• Used for planning braces or wisdom tooth extraction.
• The dose is relatively low.

Educational information, not a substitute for medical advice.