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Objective:To establish the diagnostic validity of panoramic X-rays PRx in temporomandibular osteoarthrosis OA using the clinical and imaging criteria magnetic resonance imaging, MRI of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders RDC/TMD as gold standards.Methods:Eighty-four patients with full clinical records RDC/TMD, PRx, and MRI scans were selected. Two stomatologists evaluated the PRx for OA. The MRI findings were derived from the radiologist report. Intra/inter-examiner concordance was established. The diagnostic concordance between clinical signs and MRI was determined. Both were used as gold standards to calculate the validity of PRx in OA.Results:The diagnostic validity of PRx with MRI as gold standard was sensitivity69·0 and specificity67·9. The diagnostic validity of PRx with clinical criteria as gold standard was sensitivity61·6 and specificity 57·9.Discussion:Panoramic X-rays have scant diagnostic validity in temporomandibular osteoarthrosis when taking MRI or clinical criteria of RDC/TMD as gold standards.