WHOLE-MOUTH PANORAMIC IMAGING
OPG X-Ray
An OPG (orthopantomogram) is a fast, low-dose panoramic X-ray that captures all your teeth, both jaws and your jaw joints in a single image — essential for diagnosis and treatment planning.
From €75
20-second scan
Same-day results
What an OPG shows
All teeth, top and bottom
Wisdom tooth position & angle
Bone levels & gum disease
Cysts, abscesses & infections
Jaw joints (TMJ) & sinuses
RECOGNISED EXCELLENCE
Award-winning dental & denture care in Ireland
Homecare Provider of the Year Finalist 2026
Best Mobile Dental & Denture Services Provider 2026
Irish Enterprise Awards 2026
Business All-Star 8 Years
Best In Class Denture & Dental Care 2023
Irish Dentistry Awards 2020
All-Ireland Business Awards 2019
Inspiring Awards
Business All-Star 2018
Business All Stars 2018
Irish Dentistry Awards 2016
Best Dental Laboratory 2012
ActionCOACH Award 2012
ActionCOACH Award 2010
CX Awards 2026 Finalist – Best CX in Healthcare
Homecare Provider of the Year Finalist 2026
Best Mobile Dental & Denture Services Provider 2026
Irish Enterprise Awards 2026
Business All-Star 8 Years
Best In Class Denture & Dental Care 2023
Irish Dentistry Awards 2020
All-Ireland Business Awards 2019
Inspiring Awards
Business All-Star 2018
Business All Stars 2018
Irish Dentistry Awards 2016
Best Dental Laboratory 2012
ActionCOACH Award 2012
ActionCOACH Award 2010
CX Awards 2026 Finalist – Best CX in Healthcare
Homecare Provider of the Year Finalist 2026
Best Mobile Dental & Denture Services Provider 2026
Irish Enterprise Awards 2026
Business All-Star 8 Years
Best In Class Denture & Dental Care 2023
Irish Dentistry Awards 2020
All-Ireland Business Awards 2019
Inspiring Awards
Business All-Star 2018
Business All Stars 2018
Irish Dentistry Awards 2016
Best Dental Laboratory 2012
ActionCOACH Award 2012
ActionCOACH Award 2010
CX Awards 2026 Finalist – Best CX in Healthcare
4.9 ★★★★★
Google reviews · DentalTech clinics
Google reviews · DentalTech clinics
We make dental care affordable
We accept VHI and DeCare dental insurance
We accept PRSI for Oral Exam and Scale & Polish
We don’t accept Medical Cards
We accept PRSI for Oral Exam and Scale & Polish
We don’t accept Medical Cards
Pay in 3 with Klarna
Split your treatment into 3 interest-free instalments with Klarna — quick approval at checkout.
Available at Our Clinics
• Dublin South — Terenure
• Dublin North — Swords
• Wexford
• Waterford
• Dublin North — Swords
• Wexford
• Waterford
OVERVIEW
What is an OPG X-ray?
OPG stands for orthopantomogram — a panoramic dental X-ray that shows all your teeth, both upper and lower jaws and the jaw joints (TMJs) in a single, flat image.
It’s the most common imaging dentists use when they need to see the full picture rather than a single tooth — for example, before removing wisdom teeth, planning dental implants, investigating jaw pain, or assessing bone loss from gum disease.
The scan is fast (around 20 seconds), painless and uses a very low dose of radiation — roughly the same as 1–3 days of natural background exposure in Ireland.
When an OPG is recommended
Wisdom tooth assessment. Shows the position, angle and root shape of all four wisdom teeth — and how close they are to the nerve in the lower jaw.
Dental implant planning. Used to assess overall bone height and identify the position of nerves and sinuses before more detailed CBCT scanning.
Detecting decay between teeth. Picks up hidden decay between back teeth and under existing fillings or crowns.
Gum disease & bone loss. Reveals the level of bone supporting your teeth — essential for diagnosing periodontitis.
Cysts, infections & abscesses. Shows fluid-filled cysts, dental abscesses and bone changes that can develop silently for years.
Children & orthodontic planning. Helps monitor adult teeth developing under baby teeth — useful before braces or clear aligners.
SAFETY & RADIATION
Is an OPG X-ray safe?
Yes. Modern digital OPGs use the lowest possible dose of radiation while giving your dentist a clear, full-mouth view.
Very low dose
An OPG delivers around 0.01 mSv — about the same as 1–3 days of natural background radiation in Ireland, and far less than a chest X-ray or a transatlantic flight.
ALARA principle
We follow the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) — only taking an OPG when it will genuinely change your diagnosis or treatment plan, and always with a lead apron and thyroid collar.
Pregnancy
We avoid all non-urgent dental X-rays during pregnancy. If imaging is essential for an emergency, we use the lowest possible dose with full lead protection. Always tell your dentist if you are or might be pregnant.
BENEFITS
Why we use OPG X-rays
A panoramic X-ray takes the guesswork out of diagnosis — so we can plan the right treatment first time.
Whole-Mouth View in One Image
An OPG (orthopantomogram) captures all your teeth, both jaws and the jaw joints in a single panoramic X-ray.
Spots Hidden Problems Early
Reveals impacted wisdom teeth, cysts, abscesses, bone loss and decay between teeth that aren’t visible during a normal exam.
Essential for Treatment Planning
Required for dental implants, wisdom tooth extractions, orthodontics, dentures and full-mouth rehabilitation.
Fast & Painless
The scan itself takes around 20 seconds — you simply stand still while the machine rotates around your head.
Very Low Radiation Dose
An OPG uses about the same radiation as a few hours of natural background exposure — far less than a chest X-ray.
Comfortable & Open
Unlike a CT scan, the OPG machine is open — comfortable for nervous, claustrophobic and elderly patients.
OPG VS CBCT
OPG or CBCT — which do I need?
Both are dental X-rays, but they show different things. Most patients only need an OPG.
OPG (Panoramic)
Flat 2D image of all teeth and jaws
Very low radiation dose
Best for: wisdom teeth screening, gum disease, general overview
From €75
CBCT (3D Scan)
3D image showing bone, nerves and sinuses
Higher dose than an OPG, still much less than a medical CT
Best for: dental implants, complex impacted wisdom teeth, root canal re-treatment
See our CBCT scan page
PATIENT STORIES
What Our Patients Say
PRICING
OPG X-ray cost in Ireland
Transparent pricing — confirmed in writing at your appointment.
OPG (Panoramic) X-Ray
€75
Full panoramic image of all your teeth, both jaws and jaw joints — reviewed with you on the same visit.
OPG With Consultation
€120
Panoramic X-ray plus a 30-minute clinical exam, written diagnosis and treatment plan.
OPG + CBCT 3D Scan
€225
Panoramic X-ray combined with a CBCT 3D scan — recommended for implants and complex wisdom teeth.
Small X-Ray (Bitewing / Periapical)
3× €8.33 with Klarna
or €25
Targeted small X-ray of one or two teeth — used to detect decay between back teeth or check a single tooth in detail.
HOW IT WORKS
Your OPG appointment, step-by-step
The whole appointment usually takes 5–10 minutes from start to finish.
01
Quick Pre-Scan Check
We ask about pregnancy and remove any earrings, hairclips, glasses or jewellery that could appear on the image.
02
Lead Apron On
A protective lead collar and apron shield your body from any scatter radiation.
03
Bite Block & Position
You bite gently on a small plastic guide that holds your jaw in the correct position for the scan.
04
20-Second Rotation
The OPG machine rotates slowly around your head — you stand completely still and breathe normally.
05
Instant Digital Image
Your panoramic X-ray is available immediately on screen and reviewed with you in the same appointment.
OPG VS CBCT
Which dental scan do you need?
Most patients only ever need an OPG. A CBCT 3D scan is reserved for complex cases — dental implants, difficult wisdom teeth and root canal investigation.
OPG (Panoramic X-Ray)
From €75 — 2D overview of the whole mouth
Whole-mouth panoramic view in one image
Very low radiation dose (~1–3 days background)
Fast — 20-second scan, instant digital image
Used for general check-up & wisdom tooth assessment
Comfortable open machine — good for nervous patients
Suitable for routine treatment planning
CBCT (3D Cone-Beam CT)
From €150 — 3D scan for complex planning
Full 3D view of bone, nerves and sinuses
Higher dose than OPG (still much less than medical CT)
Required for dental implant planning
Used to map nerve position before wisdom tooth surgery
Investigates failed root canals and hidden fractures
Only requested when 2D imaging isn’t enough
FAQS
OPG X-ray questions
Everything you need to know about panoramic dental X-rays.
How much does an OPG X-ray cost in Ireland?
At DentalTech, a standalone OPG (panoramic) X-ray is €75. An OPG with consultation is €120, and an OPG combined with a CBCT 3D scan is €225. A small bitewing or periapical X-ray is €25 (or 3 interest-free instalments of €8.33 with Klarna).
What is an OPG X-ray?
An OPG, or orthopantomogram, is a panoramic dental X-ray that captures all your teeth, both upper and lower jaws, and your jaw joints in a single flat image — giving your dentist a full-mouth view in one scan.
Why does my dentist need an OPG?
An OPG gives a complete picture that a single tooth X-ray can’t — it’s used for wisdom tooth assessment, dental implant planning, detecting decay or bone loss, and spotting cysts, infections or abscesses early.
Is an OPG X-ray safe?
Yes. A modern digital OPG delivers around 0.01 mSv of radiation — about the same as 1–3 days of natural background exposure in Ireland — and we follow the ALARA principle, only taking scans when they will genuinely inform your treatment.
How long does the OPG scan take?
The scan itself takes around 20 seconds. Including positioning and the lead apron, the whole appointment usually takes 5–10 minutes from start to finish.
Does an OPG X-ray hurt?
No — an OPG is completely painless. You simply stand still, bite gently on a small plastic guide, and the machine rotates around your head while it scans.
Can I have an OPG if I’m pregnant?
We avoid all non-urgent dental X-rays during pregnancy. If imaging is essential for an emergency, we use the lowest possible dose with full lead protection. Always tell your dentist if you are or might be pregnant.
OPG vs CBCT — what’s the difference?
An OPG is a flat 2D panoramic image suited to routine check-ups, wisdom teeth screening and general overview. A CBCT is a 3D scan with a higher dose, reserved for complex cases like dental implants, difficult impacted wisdom teeth or root canal re-treatment.
Do I need an OPG before dental implants?
Yes — an OPG is typically the first step to assess bone height and identify the position of nerves and sinuses. For complex cases, your dentist may also recommend a CBCT 3D scan for more detailed planning.
Is an OPG covered by PRSI or insurance?
PRSI does not cover OPG X-rays directly, but eligible PAYE workers receive a free annual examination. Many VHI and DeCare dental plans contribute towards diagnostic X-rays. 20% Med 2 tax relief is available — we provide a Med 2 receipt automatically.
Need an OPG X-ray?
Book your panoramic X-ray at your nearest DentalTech clinic — Dublin, Wexford or Waterford.