What type of dental image shows the entire length of the tooth beyond the apices?

The periapical image is specifically designed to capture the entire length of a tooth, including the roots and apices, as well as the surrounding bone structure. This type of radiograph provides detailed information about the health of both the tooth and the supporting structures around it. It is essential for diagnosing conditions that may not be visible in other types of images, such as dental caries, periodontal disease, and apical pathology.

In contrast, a panoramic image provides a broad view of the entire mouth but does not focus on the detailed anatomy of individual teeth, making it less useful for specific issues related to the apices. Bite-wing images primarily capture the crowns of the upper and lower teeth and are mainly used to identify interproximal cavities rather than the full tooth length. Cephalometric images are primarily used in orthodontics to study the relationships between the teeth and jaw but do not provide the detailed view of individual tooth roots and apices that periapical images do.