OPG stands for Orthopantomogram. It is a panoramic scanning dental X-ray of the upper and lower jaw. It shows a two-dimensional view of a half-circle from ear to ear.

The most common use is to determine the status of wisdom teeth and trauma to the jaws.

Some of the advantages of OPG are:

• Broad coverage of facial bones and teeth
• Low patient radiation dose
• Convenience of examination for the patient (films need not be placed inside the mouth)
• Ability to be used in patients in whom the opening is restricted eg trismus 
• Patient's ready understandability of panaromic films

OPGs are used by Dentists to provide information on:

• Impacted wisdom teeth- diagnosis and treatment planning
• Finding the source of dental pain
• Assessment for the placement of dental implants
• Caries detection, especially in the inter-dental region
• Carcinoma in relation to the jaws

The procedure is simple, brief and is painless.There is no special preparation required and there are no after effects.