Which type of dental radiograph is commonly used for diagnosing periodontal disease?

Bitewing radiographs are commonly used for diagnosing periodontal disease due to their ability to capture the interproximal areas of the teeth and the bone level surrounding them. These films provide critical information about the height of the alveolar bone, which is essential for assessing periodontal health. By showing the relationship between the crowns of the teeth and the supporting bone, bitewing radiographs can highlight areas of bone loss or periodontal pockets, helping to diagnose conditions such as gingivitis and periodontitis.

In contrast, panoramic radiographs provide a broad view of the entire mouth, including the teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures, but they lack the detail needed for a specific diagnosis of periodontal disease. Periapical radiographs focus on individual teeth and their roots, which can be useful for assessing certain aspects of periodontal disease but do not provide a comprehensive view of the periodontal status across multiple teeth. Cephalometric radiographs are primarily used in orthodontics for analyzing the skeletal relationships of the jaw and face, which does not directly address periodontal disease diagnosis. Therefore, bitewing radiographs remain the preferred choice for evaluating periodontal health effectively.