Panoramic X-Ray Cost in the Philippines [2026 Price Guide]

Quick Answer: A panoramic dental x-ray (OPG/orthopantomogram) costs ₱400-₱1,500 in the Philippines depending on the clinic and whether it is digital or film-based. Most private dental clinics charge ₱500-₱1,000 for a digital panoramic x-ray. Dental schools and government dental clinics offer rates as low as ₱300-₱500. Top providers include dental departments at The Medical City, St. Luke's, and standalone dental imaging centers like DentaScan. If you are getting braces, the OPG is almost always required before treatment begins.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What Is a Panoramic X-Ray?
• Price Breakdown by Type
• What Is Included in the Price
• Additional Costs to Expect
• Price by City
• Top Dental Imaging Centers
• PhilHealth Coverage for Panoramic X-Rays
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Introduction

A panoramic x-ray — also called an OPG (orthopantomogram) or panorex — is the wide, flat x-ray image that shows your entire upper and lower jaw, all teeth, temporomandibular joints (TMJ), and surrounding bone structures in a single image. If you have ever been to a dentist for braces, wisdom tooth evaluation, or implant planning, you have probably had one taken.

Unlike the small periapical x-rays your dentist takes during routine checkups that show only 2-3 teeth at a time, a panoramic x-ray captures everything in one shot. This makes it essential for orthodontic treatment planning, oral surgery assessment, implant placement, and detecting jaw pathologies like cysts or tumors.

In the Philippines, panoramic x-ray pricing has become more affordable as digital OPG machines have become standard in most dental clinics. This guide covers the full cost breakdown, where to get one, and when you actually need one versus a standard dental x-ray.

For related pricing, see our guides on x-ray costs in the Philippines and braces prices in the Philippines.

What Is a Panoramic X-Ray?

A panoramic x-ray (OPG) is a two-dimensional dental imaging technique that captures a flat image of the entire mouth in a single exposure. The x-ray machine rotates around your head in a semicircle while you stand still and bite on a small peg. The resulting image shows all of your teeth — including unerupted and impacted ones — the jawbone (mandible and maxilla), nasal area, sinuses, and TMJ joints.

The procedure is quick, painless, and requires no special preparation. You simply stand or sit in the machine, position your chin on a rest, bite the alignment peg, and hold still for about 15-20 seconds while the arm rotates around your head. There is no discomfort, and the radiation dose is very low — lower than a full-mouth series of periapical x-rays.

Dentists and oral surgeons use panoramic x-rays for several purposes:

• Orthodontic assessment: Evaluating tooth positions, jaw alignment, and growth patterns before starting braces or aligners
• Wisdom tooth evaluation: Determining the position and angulation of impacted third molars before extraction
• Implant planning: Assessing available bone height and the location of important structures like the inferior alveolar nerve
• Jaw pathology screening: Detecting cysts, tumors, fractures, and infections in the jawbone
• General dental screening: Providing an overview of overall dental health for new patients

Price Breakdown by Type

Standard Digital Panoramic X-Ray (₱400-₱1,000)

The standard digital OPG is the most commonly ordered panoramic x-ray. It produces a high-resolution digital image of the full mouth that the dentist can view immediately on a computer screen. Digital images can be enhanced, zoomed, and shared electronically. Most private dental clinics and diagnostic centers charge ₱500-₱1,000 for a standard digital OPG. Dental schools and government clinics offer lower rates at ₱300-₱500.

Best for: Orthodontic assessment, wisdom tooth evaluation, general dental screening, new patient workups.

Film-Based Panoramic X-Ray (₱300-₱600)

Some older dental clinics still use film-based panoramic machines. The resulting image is printed on a large transparent film that must be viewed on a lightbox. Film-based OPGs are less expensive but produce lower resolution images that cannot be easily enhanced or shared digitally. This option is becoming increasingly rare as most clinics have upgraded to digital systems.

Best for: Budget-conscious patients at clinics that have not yet upgraded to digital.

Cone Beam CT (CBCT) — 3D Dental Imaging (₱2,500-₱8,000)

A Cone Beam CT (CBCT) is a three-dimensional imaging technology that produces a detailed 3D model of the teeth, jawbone, nerves, and soft tissue. It is significantly more expensive than a panoramic x-ray but provides far more detailed information. CBCT is typically ordered for complex implant planning, impacted wisdom teeth near nerves, jaw surgery planning, and TMJ disorders. It is not a substitute for a panoramic x-ray but rather a supplement when more detail is needed.

Best for: Complex implant cases, impacted wisdom teeth near the inferior alveolar nerve, orthognathic surgery planning.

Cephalometric X-Ray (₱400-₱1,000)

A cephalometric (ceph) x-ray is a lateral (side view) skull image commonly ordered alongside a panoramic x-ray for orthodontic treatment planning. It shows the relationship between the jaw and skull and helps the orthodontist plan tooth movement and predict treatment outcomes. When ordered together with an OPG, many clinics offer a package discount.

Best for: Orthodontic patients — almost always required alongside an OPG before braces.

Price Comparison Table

What Is Included in the Price

A standard panoramic x-ray fee at a dental clinic or diagnostic center typically includes:

• The panoramic imaging procedure (exposure and image capture)
• Digital image file or printed film
• Brief radiologist or dentist interpretation (at imaging centers)
• CD or digital file for your records (at most digital facilities)

At standalone dental imaging centers, the price usually includes the image and a radiologist's report. At dental clinics where the OPG is taken as part of a consultation, the image is included but interpretation is part of the dentist's overall consultation fee (not a separate charge).

Additional Costs to Expect

• Dental consultation fee: ₱300-₱1,000 if you are seeing a dentist alongside the x-ray
• Cephalometric x-ray: ₱400-₱1,000 additional if ordered alongside the OPG for orthodontic evaluation
• Cone Beam CT upgrade: ₱2,500-₱8,000 if the dentist needs 3D imaging after reviewing the OPG
• Extra copies: ₱50-₱200 for additional printed copies or digital files
• Orthodontic study models: ₱500-₱1,500 for dental impressions/models, typically ordered together with an OPG for braces planning
• Treatment planning fee: Some orthodontists charge a separate ₱500-₱2,000 treatment planning fee that includes OPG review and case presentation

Price by City

Top Dental Imaging Centers

1. DentaScan Dental Imaging — Quezon City

• Address: Quezon City (Timog Ave. area)
• Price Range: ₱500-₱800 for digital OPG; ₱800-₱1,200 for OPG + cephalometric
• Key Features: Dedicated dental imaging center with digital OPG and CBCT capability
• PhilHealth Accredited: No (dental imaging is not PhilHealth-covered)
• Standout Feature: Specializes exclusively in dental imaging. Fast turnaround — results are typically available within 30 minutes. Walk-in friendly with no appointment needed for OPG.

2. St. Luke's Medical Center Dental Department — Quezon City / BGC

• Address: E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave., QC / 32nd St. & 5th Ave., BGC
• Price Range: ₱700-₱1,200 for digital OPG; ₱1,000-₱1,500 for OPG + cephalometric
• Key Features: Hospital-based dental department with full imaging suite
• PhilHealth Accredited: Yes (for applicable dental procedures)
• Standout Feature: Full hospital infrastructure with access to oral surgeons, orthodontists, and other dental specialists in the same facility. Ideal if you need imaging as part of a comprehensive dental treatment plan.

3. University of the Philippines College of Dentistry — Manila

• Address: Pedro Gil St., Ermita, Manila
• Price Range: ₱300-₱500 for OPG; ₱500-₱800 for OPG + cephalometric
• Key Features: Teaching facility with supervised dental imaging, subsidized rates
• PhilHealth Accredited: Yes
• Standout Feature: The most affordable option for panoramic x-rays in Metro Manila. As a teaching institution, procedures are performed by dental students under faculty supervision. Wait times are longer, but the savings are substantial.

4. The Medical City Dental Center — Pasig City

• Address: Ortigas Ave., Pasig City
• Price Range: ₱600-₱1,000 for digital OPG; ₱900-₱1,400 for OPG + cephalometric
• Key Features: Digital imaging suite, multidisciplinary dental team, CBCT available
• PhilHealth Accredited: Yes (for applicable procedures)
• Standout Feature: Integrated dental center within a major hospital, offering imaging alongside orthodontic, oral surgery, and prosthodontic services.

5. Cebu Dental Hub — Cebu City

• Address: Cebu Business Park area, Cebu City
• Price Range: ₱400-₱800 for digital OPG; ₱700-₱1,100 for OPG + cephalometric
• Key Features: Modern dental clinic with digital imaging, orthodontics, and oral surgery
• PhilHealth Accredited: No
• Standout Feature: One of the most well-equipped private dental facilities in Cebu with in-house digital OPG and CBCT. Convenient for patients getting braces or implants who need imaging and treatment under one roof.

6. Davao Doctors Hospital Dental Department — Davao City

• Address: E. Quirino Ave., Davao City
• Price Range: ₱400-₱800 for digital OPG; ₱600-₱1,000 for OPG + cephalometric
• Key Features: Hospital-based dental department, digital imaging, oral surgery capability
• PhilHealth Accredited: Yes
• Standout Feature: The leading hospital dental department in Mindanao with competitive pricing and access to oral and maxillofacial surgeons for complex cases.

Comparison Table

PhilHealth Coverage for Panoramic X-Rays

Panoramic dental x-rays are not covered by PhilHealth as a standalone outpatient service. PhilHealth dental coverage is limited to specific oral surgery procedures (such as odontectomy for impacted wisdom teeth) when performed in a PhilHealth-accredited hospital. In these cases, the panoramic x-ray may be included as part of the overall surgical package cost rather than being billed separately.

For routine dental imaging — whether for braces evaluation, checkup, or implant planning — expect to pay out of pocket. The cost is relatively modest at ₱400-₱1,000, making it manageable for most patients.

HMO Coverage

Some employer-provided HMO plans include dental benefits that cover diagnostic imaging including panoramic x-rays. Check your HMO benefit summary for dental imaging coverage. If covered, ensure your dental clinic or imaging center is accredited by your HMO provider to avoid out-of-pocket charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a panoramic x-ray cost in the Philippines?

A panoramic dental x-ray (OPG) costs ₱400-₱1,500 in the Philippines. Standard digital OPG at a private dental clinic runs ₱500-₱1,000. Dental schools like UP College of Dentistry offer rates as low as ₱300-₱500. Hospital-based dental departments at St. Luke's or The Medical City charge ₱600-₱1,200. If you need both an OPG and a cephalometric x-ray for orthodontic treatment, expect to pay ₱700-₱1,500 for the combination. For a broader look at imaging costs, see our x-ray cost guide.

When do I need a panoramic x-ray?

You typically need a panoramic x-ray before starting orthodontic treatment (braces or aligners), before wisdom tooth extraction, when planning dental implants, or when your dentist suspects jaw pathology such as cysts or tumors. Some dentists also order an OPG as part of a comprehensive new patient examination to get a baseline view of your overall dental health. If you are only being treated for a single tooth issue, a smaller periapical x-ray is usually sufficient and less expensive.

Is a panoramic x-ray the same as a regular dental x-ray?

No, they are different. A regular dental x-ray (periapical or bitewing) captures a small area — typically 2-4 teeth — in high detail. A panoramic x-ray captures the entire jaw, all teeth, and surrounding structures in a single wide image. Panoramic x-rays are better for overall assessment, while periapical x-rays provide more detailed views of individual teeth and their roots. Your dentist will choose the appropriate type based on what they need to evaluate. For braces and oral surgery planning, a panoramic x-ray is almost always required.

Do I need a panoramic x-ray before getting braces?

Yes, a panoramic x-ray (OPG) is virtually always required before starting orthodontic treatment. It allows the orthodontist to see all of your teeth including unerupted ones, assess jaw bone health, check for any pathology, and plan tooth movement. Most orthodontists also require a cephalometric x-ray alongside the OPG to evaluate jaw relationships and predict treatment outcomes. These imaging costs are typically separate from the braces package price. For braces pricing, see our braces price guide.

Is the radiation from a panoramic x-ray safe?

Yes, the radiation dose from a panoramic x-ray is very low — approximately 0.01-0.03 millisieverts (mSv), which is comparable to 1-3 days of natural background radiation. This is actually lower than the dose from a full-mouth series of periapical x-rays (which requires multiple exposures). Modern digital panoramic machines use even less radiation than older film-based systems. The procedure is considered safe for adults and children, though pregnant women should inform their dentist as a precaution.

How long does a panoramic x-ray take?

The actual imaging takes about 15-20 seconds. Including positioning and preparation, the entire procedure is done in under 5 minutes. You stand or sit in the panoramic machine, place your chin on a rest, bite a small positioning peg, and hold still while the machine arm rotates around your head. Results are typically available immediately for digital systems — your dentist can view the image on screen right away. If taken at a standalone imaging center, you can usually get a printed or digital copy within 15-30 minutes.

Can I get a panoramic x-ray without a dentist's referral?

Yes, standalone dental imaging centers like DentaScan accept walk-in patients without a dentist's referral. You can request an OPG directly and receive the image and a radiologist's report. However, interpreting the results and determining whether treatment is needed should be done by a qualified dentist or oral surgeon. If you are planning to see a new dentist, having a recent OPG available can save time and cost during your first visit.

Conclusion

A panoramic x-ray is an essential diagnostic tool for orthodontic treatment, oral surgery planning, and comprehensive dental evaluation. At ₱400-₱1,000 for a standard digital OPG in the Philippines, it is an affordable investment in your dental health. If you are starting braces, budget for both an OPG and a cephalometric x-ray (₱700-₱1,500 combined).

For the best value, consider dental imaging at teaching institutions like UP College of Dentistry or standalone imaging centers like DentaScan that specialize in quick, affordable dental imaging. If you prefer hospital-level facilities, The Medical City and St. Luke's offer comprehensive dental imaging within their dental departments.

Related guides you may find useful:

• X-ray cost in the Philippines
• Braces price in the Philippines
• Dental cleaning cost in Cebu
• Best dental clinics in Cebu City

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