Which radiographic view shows large areas of the maxilla or mandible?

• A. Occlusal
• B. Periapical
• C. Panoramic Film
• D. Label Side

Answer: (A)

Understanding radiographic views means recognizing which parts of the jaw each view captures. Occlusal radiographs are designed to reveal a broad field: they let you see large portions of the upper or lower jaw on a single image. This is achieved by using a larger film and a different angle so the entire arch, including areas like the palate or the floor of the mouth, can be assessed at once. That wide view is especially helpful when you need to evaluate overall bone health, detect large lesions, impacted teeth, fractures, or examine symmetry of the arch.

In contrast, a periapical radiograph targets a few teeth—usually one to three—and the surrounding bone near their roots. It doesn’t cover as much area. A panoramic film shows the entire upper and lower jaw in one image, but it’s a different technique and is used for a broad survey rather than focusing on a specific large area like an occlusal view. The option that specifically emphasizes viewing large areas of the maxilla or mandible is the occlusal view.