The panoramic x-ray, or Panorex as it was first called, is a wonderful modern invention. It has much less radiation than a traditional full set of eighteen (18) smaller x-rays and it much more comfortable for the patient to have taken. The panoramic x-ray shows the dentist a patient's nasal area, sinuses, jaw joints, teeth and surrounding bone. It can reveal cysts, tumors, bone irregularities, and much more.

          The panorex can also be taken very quickly and is especially helpful when a patient is in pain.Typically a panoramic x-ray should be taken every three (3) years and having a series of them on the same patient can assist the dentist in later determining whether changes seen in the xray are normal or not.