Panoramic radiography was compared with conventional tomography as techniques for visualizing the mandibular canal. Tomography gave a significantly clearer image of the canal at and 1 cm posterior to the mental foramen. While no differences were found between the methods 2 cm posterior to the mental foramen. Thus, tomograpny could be of great value in locating the mandibular canal before implant surgery in edentulous mandibular posterior segments. Parole chiave: mandible, radiography, panoramic radiography, tomography