Which radiographic finding may be observed in periapical abscesses, granulomas, and cysts?

• A. Narrowed apical PDL space
• B. Widened apical PDL
• C. No changes
• D. Hypercementosis

Answer: (B)

Inflammatory changes at the apex of a tooth from abscess, granuloma, or cyst typically disturb the surrounding periodontal ligament and surrounding bone. This inflammation causes edema and loss of the normal attachment, leading to widening of the apical periodontal ligament space on radiographs. As the lesion evolves, bone around the apex may resorb and a radiolucent periapical area becomes visible, but the first and most consistent radiographic cue across these lesions is the widened apical PDL space.

Other options don’t fit because narrowing of the PDL space isn’t characteristic of these inflammatory periapical conditions, no changes would imply a healthy tooth, and hypercementosis is a different process related to excessive cementum deposition rather than acute or chronic periapical inflammation.