Panoramic X-ray with an earring appearing within a tooth root region (molar #14 with RCT — the earring is reflected in the roots). What is this artifact called?

Correct answer: A. Ghost image

• A. Correct. This is a classic panoramic radiograph 'ghost image' artifact, where a radiopaque object (such as an earring) on one side of the patient is captured a second time, projected onto the opposite side of the image at a higher and more magnified/blurred position.
• B. This is an imaging artifact, not an actual pathological lesion within the tooth.
• C. Hypercementosis would show actual excess radiopaque cementum around a root apex, not an external metallic artifact.
• D. Condensing osteitis is a true periapical radiopacity from chronic pulpal inflammation, unrelated to this external metallic ghost artifact.