Which radiographs are primarily used to assess interproximal caries and the height of crestal bone?

• A. Bitewing radiographs
• B. Periapical radiographs
• C. Occlusal radiographs
• D. Panoramic radiographs

Answer: (A)

Bitewing radiographs are designed to capture the crowns and interproximal surfaces of posterior teeth, along with the crestal bone that lies between their roots. This makes them the most effective view for detecting caries that occur between adjacent teeth and for evaluating the height of the alveolar crestal bone in that same region. Periapical radiographs focus on a single tooth and its surrounding bone, which is great for evaluating root and surrounding pathology but not as efficient for multiple proximal surfaces or for comparing bone height between teeth. Occlusal radiographs provide a broader view of tooth anatomy and eruption patterns but are not optimized for identifying early proximal caries. Panoramic images cover a wide area with lower resolution, making them less reliable for precise assessment of interproximal caries and subtle crestal bone changes.