Endodontics · single question
A 23-year-old female presents with the chief complaint 'my upper teeth hurt.' A periapical radiograph is provided. What do you do?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Take an X-ray with a different angulation
When an initial periapical radiograph is inconclusive or doesn't clearly explain the patient's symptoms, the appropriate next diagnostic step is to obtain additional radiographic information — such as a film taken at a different horizontal/vertical angulation (e.g., using the SLOB technique) — before committing to a more invasive or definitive treatment decision like extraction.