Dental X-rays and scans let us see what a visual exam can’t. That ranges from small routine X-rays taken at a check-up to a full panoral radiograph (OPG) or a 3D CBCT scan for more detailed planning, such as before an implant, wisdom tooth removal or root canal treatment.
A panoral radiograph (OPG) is a single wide X-ray showing your upper and lower jaw, teeth and sinuses on one image, while a CBCT scan builds a detailed 3D picture of your teeth, jaw and surrounding bone. Small routine X-rays are already part of a check-up; an OPG or CBCT is used when we need a wider or more detailed view, for example planning an implant, assessing wisdom teeth, or investigating a root canal case.
Your dentist decides whether a panoral radiograph, a CBCT scan, or a small routine X-ray gives the clearest picture for your case.
The scan itself takes only a few moments, with the machine moving around your head without touching you.
Your dentist reviews the image with you and explains what it shows for your treatment plan.
| Treatment | From | Member price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panoral radiograph (OPG) | £100 | £80 | Member price is lower. See Membership & Pricing. |
| CBCT scan | £200 | £160 | Member price is lower. See Membership & Pricing. |
Membership plans cover routine care and cut 20% off most other treatment. See Membership & Pricing to find the right plan.
An OPG (panoral radiograph) is a single flat X-ray showing your whole jaw, teeth and sinuses. A CBCT scan builds a 3D image, giving a more detailed view of the bone and tooth structure for cases that need closer planning.
A CBCT scan is used for more detailed planning, for example before a dental implant, assessing an impacted wisdom tooth, or investigating a complex root canal case, where a flat X-ray doesn’t give enough detail.
No. Small routine X-rays are already part of a standard check-up when needed. A full OPG or CBCT scan is only taken when your dentist needs the wider or more detailed view they provide.
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Dentists use X-rays to see what a mouth examination cannot, such as decay between teeth or infection at a root. The dose is very small, and an X-ray should only be taken when its benefit outweighs the risk.
An impacted wisdom tooth has no room to come through fully. NICE and the NHS say one causing no problems is usually left and checked, but the Royal College of Surgeons says some may be better removed sooner.
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection in a tooth or gum. The NHS says it will not go away on its own and needs urgent treatment by a dentist. It is often painful, but not always.
Book a consultation and we'll tell you whether a routine X-ray, a panoral radiograph or a CBCT scan gives the clearest picture for your case.
