Dental radiology: panoramic radiograph: 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 radiology: panoramic radiograph

Sample item

A surgeon wants one film showing both jaws, temporomandibular joints, maxillary sinuses and impacted third molars. Which radiograph is suited?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Orthopantomogram

The orthopantomogram gives a panoramic overview of the jaws and related structures at modest dose. Its detail is lower than intraoral films, so fine caries detection needs bitewings.

Option by option

  • A. Intraoral periapical

    Periapicals show only two or three teeth.

  • B. Occlusal

    Occlusal films show part of the arch or floor of mouth.

  • C. Bitewing

    Bitewings show only posterior crowns.

  • D. Orthopantomogram (correct)

    Correct. It gives a panoramic view.

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 D, Orthopantomogram. The orthopantomogram gives a panoramic overview of the jaws and related structures at modest dose.

Why is "Intraoral periapical" not the answer?

Periapicals show only two or three teeth.

Why is "Occlusal" not the answer?

Occlusal films show part of the arch or floor of mouth.

Why is "Bitewing" not the answer?

Bitewings show only posterior crowns.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dental radiology: panoramic radiograph in Dentistry. Its detail is lower than intraoral films, so fine caries detection needs bitewings.

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 radiology: panoramic radiograph?

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.