You are shown a bitewing of tooth #15 with a suspicious finding. What additional X-ray do you take for diagnosis?

Correct answer: A. Periapical (PA)

• A. Correct. A periapical radiograph provides a full view of the tooth root and periapical area, which a bitewing (designed mainly for interproximal/crestal bone assessment) does not show — necessary for full diagnostic evaluation of a suspicious finding.
• B. Another bitewing would not add additional diagnostic information about the root/periapical region beyond what the first bitewing already showed.
• C. While a panoramic could provide additional overview, a periapical alone is the standard, most direct next step for further evaluating findings related to a specific tooth's root/periapical area.
• D. CBCT is reserved for more complex diagnostic needs and is not the routine next step for a straightforward bitewing finding requiring periapical confirmation.