Radiological aspects of apical periodontitis

The diagnosis and management of periapical pathosis requires a thorough clinical and radiographic examination. As chronic apical periodontitis often develops without subjective symptoms, the radiological diagnosis is particularly important. However, radiography is not a perfect diagnostic tool, partly because radiographs are two‐dimensional representations of three‐dimensional structures, and partly because particular clinical and biological features may not be reflected in radiographic changes. The presence of a lesion may not be directly evident and its real extent and the spatial relationships to important anatomical landmarks are not always easily visualized. This paper reviews the usefulness and limitations of the radiological examination in periapical diagnosis.