Intraoral periapical Radiographs form an invaluable adjunct in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and postoperative evaluation during patient management in the dental office as these are the most common and essential diagnostic aids in dental radiology.

Interpretation of such radiographs will reveal pathologies with high resolution and minimal risk of radiation.

The OPG provides a useful screening radiograph for examination of the dentition and facial skeleton. The dosage of radiation received by the patient is approximately 0.014 mSv, which is less than that of a standard chest X-ray at 0.02 mSv.

Being an extra-oral radiograph, there is less limitation in taking the image when the patient has difficulty opening their mouth or where a prominent gag reflex prevents intra-oral films from being used A systematic evaluation of panoramic radiographs could reveal pathologies and bony changes on a wider latitude compared to the intraoral radiographs.