Dental Assistant Practice Exam 2026 - Free Dental Assistant Practice Questions and Study Guide

The periapical radiograph is designed to capture the entire tooth structure, including the crown, root, and surrounding supporting structures, such as the bone and periodontal ligament. This type of radiograph focuses on one or two specific teeth and provides detailed visualization of the entire tooth, including the apex or root tip, which is crucial for assessing conditions like periapical infections or for planning treatments such as root canals.

In contrast, bitewing radiographs primarily show the crowns of the teeth and are important for detecting interproximal caries and checking for bone levels, but they do not offer a comprehensive view of the entire tooth and its roots. Occlusal radiographs, while useful for examining the arch of both the maxillary and mandibular teeth, provide a broader view that does not focus specifically on individual tooth structures. Cephalometric radiographs are typically used in orthodontics to assess the relationships of the structures of the face and jaw, not for examining individual teeth.