[Panoramic radiography: why the controversy?].

Because of the confusion which exists between the panography and the orthopantomogram we like to rectify the error. With the orthopantomograph the mandible and the maxilla are taken on a single film. The radiation source is extraoral, whereas for a panography the radiation source is directed from the oral cavity towards the outside, two films are needed, one for each jaw. The orthopantomogram can be used generally in odonto-stomatology. Dosimetry was also mentioned. The results prove that for an orthopantomogram the radiation dose is four times smaller than the dose given for full mouth X-rays taken with 16 intraoral films. It appears that an orthopantomogram should be the first step for a general X-ray examination, though it does not give all informations. For details the intraoral film keeps its value.