Which extra-oral radiography view would show both jaws in full and their surrounding anatomy?

• A. Lateral cephalogram
• B. Dental panoramic tomograph
• C. Bitewing radiograph
• D. Periapical radiograph

Answer: (B)

The view that provides a wide, single image of both jaws along with surrounding structures is the panoramic radiograph. It uses a rotating beam around the head to capture the entire upper and lower dental arches in one film, including adjacent anatomy like the maxillary sinuses, nasal floor, zygomatic arches, and the jaw joints. Bitewing and periapical images are intra-oral and focus on small areas or single teeth, not the entire jaws. A lateral cephalogram shows a side view of the skull and jaws for measurements and alignment, but it does not present the full arches with the same wide field of view. So, the panoramic radiograph best fits the requirement of showing both jaws in full with surrounding anatomy.