What kind of film is best for capturing detailed images of individual teeth?

To capture detailed images of individual teeth, periapical film is the most suitable option. Periapical radiographs focus on the entire tooth, including the crown, root, and surrounding bone structure. This type of film provides high levels of detail that are essential for diagnosing dental issues such as periapical infections, abscesses, and root fractures, making it invaluable in endodontic treatments and overall dental assessments.

In contrast, bite-wing films are primarily designed to provide images of the crowns of the upper and lower teeth to check for caries and interproximal bone loss, but they do not capture the full length of the teeth or surrounding periapical structures. Panoramic films offer a broad view of the entire dentition and jaw structures, which can be useful for overall diagnostics but lacks the detail necessary for examining individual teeth closely. Occlusal films are typically used to view larger areas of the dental arch and can assist in assessing specific cases, but they do not provide the detailed view of a single tooth's anatomy that periapical films do.