Panoramic radiographs have an effective dose range of

• A. 4-30 uSv
• B. 1-2 uSv
• C. 0.4-0.8 mSv
• D. 100-300 uSv

Answer: (A)

Panoramic radiographs deliver a relatively small amount of ionizing radiation, and the concept we use to gauge this risk is the effective dose, measured in microsieverts. For a panoramic exam, the effective dose typically ranges from about 4 to 30 μSv, with many sources placing it around 10–20 μSv. This range reflects real-world differences in machine design, exposure settings, patient size, and shielding practices, while still representing a low-dose exam compared with other imaging modalities.

Understanding the range helps you see why other options aren’t a good fit: a value like 1–2 μSv is generally too low for a panoramic, while 0.4–0.8 mSv (400–800 μSv) or 100–300 μSv are higher than what a standard panoramic dose usually produces.

The key point is that the effective dose provides a way to compare overall patient risk across imaging types, and panoramic radiographs sit on the lower end of that spectrum compared with more dose-intensive imaging.