Blog
What is an OPG X-ray and why does your dentist ask for one?
An OPG is a panoramic dental X-ray showing all teeth, jawbones, and jaw joints in one image. Learn what it shows, how to get one, and why it matters before a quote.
An OPG (orthopantomogram) is a panoramic dental X-ray that captures all your upper and lower teeth, jawbones, and jaw joints in a single wide-angle image. It is the first diagnostic image most dentists need before planning implants, bridges, or major restorations. In the UK, an OPG costs GBP 80 to GBP 150 at a private clinic. At Picasso Dental Clinic in Da Nang, it costs GBP 9 as of May 2026.
An OPG is a panoramic dental X-ray. One image. All your teeth. Dentists request it because no accurate quote for implants, bridges, or major restorations is possible without seeing the bone and roots underneath.
What OPG stands for
OPG is short for orthopantomogram. The word comes from “ortho” (straight), “panto” (all), and “gram” (image). You may also see it called a panoramic X-ray, a panoramic dental radiograph, or informally a “full-mouth X-ray.”
The machine used to take an OPG is called an orthopantomograph. You stand still while it rotates around your head in a single arc, capturing the image in one pass. The whole process takes around 20 seconds.
What an OPG shows
A single OPG image gives your dentist a complete overview of your dental and jaw anatomy. It shows:
- All upper and lower teeth, including those that have not erupted or are impacted
- The roots of every tooth and their relationship to the bone
- Bone levels around each tooth, which indicates gum disease or bone loss
- The temporomandibular joints (the jaw joints on each side)
- The sinuses above the upper teeth
- The position and path of the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw
- Existing restorations such as fillings, crowns, and root-treated teeth
- Any cysts, infections, or abnormalities in the jaw
For patients enquiring about dental implants, the OPG is the essential first step. It allows a dentist to identify the general level of available bone and flag any issues that need addressing before treatment.
What an OPG does NOT show
An OPG is a wide-angle overview image. It is not designed for fine detail.
It does not show the three-dimensional volume of bone. An OPG gives you height (how tall the bone is), but not width (how thick it is from front to back). For implant surgery, you need both dimensions.
It does not show the precise position of nerves in three dimensions. An OPG gives an approximate two-dimensional view of the inferior alveolar nerve, but not the exact depth below your proposed implant site.
It is not suitable as the sole diagnostic image for surgical implant planning. That requires a CBCT scan, which produces a 3D model. The OPG is the screening image. The CBCT is the surgical planning image.
For individual teeth where fine detail matters, such as checking a hairline crack or a periapical abscess, a small periapical X-ray taken at close range gives better resolution than an OPG.
Why a dentist needs an OPG before quoting
No dentist can quote accurately for implants, bridges, or complex restorations without seeing the underlying anatomy. Photographs show the surface. The OPG shows what is underneath.
Without an OPG, a dental quote is provisional at best. A dentist who quotes for implants without reviewing an X-ray has not examined your case. Prices frequently change after images are reviewed because the OPG reveals issues the surface examination cannot: bone loss, impacted teeth, root anatomy, existing root-treated teeth, sinus position.
This is why Picasso asks patients to send an OPG or photographs before issuing a written treatment plan. The OPG enables a specific, accurate quote in writing.
How to get an OPG in the UK
Any dental practice with an OPG machine can take one. You do not need a GP referral. Options include:
- Your current NHS or private dentist (ask for a standalone OPG)
- A private dental practice or dental imaging centre
- Some dental schools offer reduced-cost imaging
In England, if your NHS dentist requests an OPG as part of your NHS appointment, there is no additional charge. If you are paying privately, the cost is typically GBP 80 to GBP 150.
Most modern OPG machines produce a digital file. Ask your dentist for a copy on a USB stick or as a secure download link. Some practices charge a small fee for the digital copy; GBP 10 to GBP 20 is common.
OPG cost in the UK versus Picasso Vietnam
| UK private clinic | Picasso Dental Clinic (May 2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| OPG panoramic X-ray | GBP 80 to GBP 150 | GBP 9 |
| CBCT 3D scan | GBP 200 to GBP 400 | GBP 17 |
| Examination | GBP 50 to GBP 100 | GBP 6 |
At Picasso, the OPG is taken on arrival at or before your consultation. You do not need to obtain one in the UK before travelling, though having one in advance allows the clinical team to review your case and prepare a more detailed plan before you arrive.
How to send your OPG to Picasso for a remote quote
Once you have a digital copy of your OPG, you can send it to Picasso by:
- WhatsApp: send the image directly to +84 989 067 888
- Email: attach the file and send to [email protected]
Most OPG machines export a standard JPEG or PDF that sends easily over WhatsApp. If your dentist gives you a DICOM file (a medical imaging format), email is better for sending larger files.
The Picasso clinical team will review your X-ray and return an itemised GBP quote, typically within 24 hours on working days.
What if you do not have an OPG?
You can still request a quote. Send clear photographs of your smile: one taken straight on with teeth together, one with teeth slightly apart showing the biting surfaces, and one taken from each side.
From photographs alone, the team can provide a provisional estimate for most treatments. The OPG allows a precise treatment plan. Photographs allow a working range.
For veneers and composite bonding, photographs are often sufficient for an initial quote. For implants, bridges, or complex restorative work, a definitive plan requires an X-ray.
OPG versus CBCT: which do you need?
| OPG | CBCT | |
|---|---|---|
| Image type | 2D panoramic | 3D volumetric |
| Shows bone height | Yes | Yes |
| Shows bone width | No | Yes |
| Shows nerve position in 3D | No | Yes |
| Shows sinus position | Approximately | Precisely |
| Suitable for implant surgery planning | Initial screening only | Yes |
| Cost at Picasso (May 2026) | GBP 9 | GBP 17 |
| Cost at UK private clinic | GBP 80 to GBP 150 | GBP 200 to GBP 400 |
For implant enquiries, the typical sequence is: OPG first (screening and quoting), CBCT second (surgical planning, taken at Picasso on arrival when surgery is confirmed).
Read more: CBCT scan before dental implants: what it is and why you need it
Radiation: is an OPG safe?
An OPG delivers a very low radiation dose. The effective dose is approximately 14 to 24 microsieverts. For comparison, a chest X-ray delivers roughly 20 microsieverts. Natural background radiation in the UK is approximately 2,700 microsieverts per year.
In plain terms: an OPG is equivalent to a few days of background radiation. Public Health England confirms that the benefit of the diagnostic information clearly outweighs the minimal radiation risk for any patient where clinical need is established.
Dental X-rays are not taken routinely without reason. Your dentist will only recommend an OPG when there is a clear clinical or planning purpose.
When you do not need an OPG
Not every treatment enquiry requires an X-ray before a quote.
For tooth whitening, a photograph is sufficient. For composite bonding on healthy teeth, photographs allow a reasonable provisional estimate. For veneers where no structural concerns exist, photographs plus a brief clinical history usually allow an indicative quote.
If your enquiry is limited to cosmetic surface treatments and you have no history of dental disease, photographs are a reasonable starting point. The OPG becomes essential when the treatment plan involves anything below the gum line.
Start with a free consultation. Send your photographs or OPG to Picasso and receive an itemised GBP quote at no cost.