Which type of radiograph shows the apex of a tooth and surrounding periapical tissues?

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

Answer: (A)

This question tests recognizing which radiographic view specifically includes the tooth apex and the surrounding periapical tissues. A periapical radiograph is designed to capture the entire tooth from crown to apex and a bit of the surrounding bone, so you can evaluate the health of the pulp and the periapical region for signs of infection, abscess, granuloma, or cyst, as well as bone changes near the apex.

Bitewing radiographs focus on the crowns and the interproximal bone between adjacent teeth, useful for caries detection and assessing crestal bone levels, not the apex. Panoramic radiographs show the entire dentition and jaws in one image but sacrifice detailed apical anatomy. Occlusal radiographs cover broader areas of one arch to reveal wider structures like the palate floor or the contour of the alveolar process, not the precise apical region of a single tooth.