Dental radiography: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Dental radiography

Sample item

What is the principal use of a periapical dental radiograph?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Assess entire tooth root and periapical bone

Periapical radiographs show the full tooth root and surrounding apical bone, supporting assessment of endodontic disease, trauma, and root morphology.

Option by option

  • A. Measure facial symmetry

    Facial symmetry needs other assessment.

  • B. Screen both jaws for every tumour

    Panoramic imaging gives broader jaw overview.

  • C. Assess entire tooth root and periapical bone (correct)

    Correct: periapical view includes root apex and adjacent bone.

  • D. Assess middle-ear ossicles

    Ossicles require temporal-bone imaging.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Dentistry questions

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Assess entire tooth root and periapical bone. Periapical radiographs show the full tooth root and surrounding apical bone, supporting assessment of endodontic disease, trauma, and root morphology.

Why is "Measure facial symmetry" not the answer?

Facial symmetry needs other assessment.

Why is "Screen both jaws for every tumour" not the answer?

Panoramic imaging gives broader jaw overview.

Why is "Assess middle-ear ossicles" not the answer?

Ossicles require temporal-bone imaging.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dental radiography in Dentistry. The correct option holds because: Correct: periapical view includes root apex and adjacent bone.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Dental radiography?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.