Panoramic X-Ray

The advantages of panoramic radiography include considerable time savings from the office staff and reduction of the patient's exposure to radiation as compared to a full mouth traditional x-rays is one-fifth to one sixth of the radiation exposure. A full survey using intraoral periapical technique requires fourteen to eighteen seperate exposures, involving the cooperation of the patient for a period of 20-25 minutes. A panoramic radiograph, including patient positioning, takes less than 5 minutes to accomplish (during which time the patient is essentially passive). The panoramic radiograph, coupled with an additional 5-7 minutes for bitewings, represents a 50% timesavings.