What does a periapical (PA) radiograph show?

• A. The alveolar crest only
• B. Only the crown
• C. Only the root apex
• D. Entire crown, root, and surrounding bone

Answer: (D)

A periapical radiograph is designed to show the whole tooth—from crown through root tip—and the surrounding bone. This view targets the apex and the periapical tissues, so you can assess root anatomy, root canal filling if present, and any pathology in the bone around the root like infections or bone loss. It’s broader than just the crown or just the apex, which is why it reveals the entire crown, root, and the surrounding bone. This is different from bitewing images, which focus mainly on the crowns and the interproximal bone levels, or from occlusal views, which cover different broad regions of the arch.