Reviewed by Dr. Adel Elbaz, DDS, general dentist · Last reviewed
Panoramic X-Ray in London, Ontario
A panoramic x-ray (often called a “pano”) is one wide image of your whole mouth: all your upper and lower teeth, both jaws, the joints in front of your ears, and the sinuses above your back teeth. Where a regular dental x-ray shows a few teeth up close, a panoramic x-ray shows the big picture, including things that sit outside the reach of a small sensor.
At Lunar Smile Dentistry we take panoramic x-rays in our office on Wharncliffe Road South, so you don’t need to go elsewhere for one.
What a panoramic x-ray shows
- Wisdom teeth: whether they are coming in straight, sitting sideways or stuck (impacted), and how close their roots are to the nerve in the lower jaw
- Developing teeth in children: whether adult teeth are present and growing in the right order
- Jawbone: how much bone there is for a dental implant, and signs of bone loss from gum disease
- The jaw joints (TMJ): a first look when you have jaw pain, clicking or trouble opening
- Cysts, infections and growths in the jaw that can’t be seen in the mouth
- The sinuses above the upper back teeth, which matters for upper implants and some toothaches
When we recommend one
We don’t take a panoramic x-ray at every visit. We usually suggest one:
- at a first visit if you don’t have a recent one from another dentist
- in the late teens, to check on wisdom teeth
- when planning implants, extractions or oral surgery
- when you have jaw pain or swelling we can’t explain from a regular exam
- every few years for adults, depending on your history
Panoramic vs regular dental x-rays
The two types do different jobs, and you may need both.
| Panoramic x-ray | Bitewing / periapical x-rays | |
|---|---|---|
| What it shows | Whole mouth, jaws, joints, sinuses | A few teeth in close detail |
| Best for | Wisdom teeth, implants, bone, jaw problems | Cavities between teeth, root infections |
| How it’s taken | Machine rotates around your head | Small sensor held in your mouth |
| How often | Every few years, or when needed | Usually every 1–2 years, depending on risk |
Small cavities between teeth are often easier to see on a close-up digital x-ray than on a panoramic image, so a pano doesn’t replace your regular x-rays.
What it’s like
- You remove glasses, earrings and anything metal around your head and neck.
- We place a protective apron if needed and position you standing or sitting at the machine.
- You bite gently on a small guide to line up your teeth.
- The arm of the machine circles slowly around your head for about 15 to 20 seconds. Stay still and keep your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
Nothing goes far into your mouth, so it’s a good option for people with a strong gag reflex. The image appears on screen right away, and we go through it with you.
Is it safe?
A digital panoramic x-ray uses a low dose of radiation, comparable to what you receive from natural background sources over a few days. We only take x-rays when they will change how we care for you, and we follow Canadian guidelines for dental imaging. Tell us if you are or may be pregnant; we may postpone routine x-rays.
Already had one elsewhere?
If your previous dentist took a panoramic x-ray recently, ask them to send it to us so you don’t need another one. See your first visit.
Cost and coverage
Most dental insurance plans and the Canadian Dental Care Plan cover a panoramic x-ray, usually with a limit on how often (for example, once every few years). Our fees follow the Ontario Dental Association fee guide, and we bill your plan directly where we can.
Book a visit
Need your wisdom teeth checked, or planning an implant? Book online or call 226-884-2573. We’re open six days a week, with evening appointments until 9 pm on weekdays.