DISADVANTAGES OF THE PANORAMIC RADIOGRAPH

Unfortunately, this radiograph has several disadvantages. The definition of the x-ray is not as sharp as a periapical or a bitewing x-ray. Therefore, small caries, periapical disease along with other diseases, and abnormalities that would show up on intraoral x-rays would not be identified on a panoramic view. Other problems would include magnification, distortion, and natural overlapping of some of the teeth.