A Panorex X-ray (also called a panoramic dental X-ray) gives your dentist a single, wide view of your entire mouth, jaw, and surrounding structures—all in one image. This big-picture view helps us better understand what’s happening beneath the surface and plan your care with confidence.
Why Dentists Use a Panorex X-ray
A Panorex X-ray allows us to:
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Assess overall oral health by viewing all teeth, upper and lower jaws, and surrounding bone at once
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Detect impacted teeth, especially wisdom teeth that haven’t erupted properly
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Evaluate jaw concerns like pain, clicking, TMJ disorders, or limited mouth opening
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Plan dental treatments such as braces, implants, extractions, or dentures
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Identify infections or disease, including cysts, tumors, abscesses, or bone loss
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Check tooth development, which is especially helpful for children and adolescents
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Assess trauma, such as jaw fractures after an injury
Why Panorex X-rays are Often Preferred
Patients appreciate Panorex X-rays because they are:
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Quick and painless
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Low radiation, especially compared to taking multiple individual X-rays
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Comprehensive, capturing areas regular dental X-rays may miss—like the jaw joints and sinuses
When Additional X-rays May Be Needed
While Panorex X-rays are incredibly helpful, they’re not designed to show very small cavities or fine tooth details. In some cases, your dentist may also recommend bitewing or periapical X-rays for a closer, more detailed view.
If you’re ever curious about why a Panorex X-ray was recommended for you, just ask—we’re always happy to explain what we’re looking for and how it supports your dental health.
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