Which imaging technique is primarily used for viewing the entire dental arch?

Panoramic radiography is primarily used for viewing the entire dental arch because it captures a broad image of the upper and lower jaws in a single film. This technique allows clinicians to see all the teeth, bone structures, and surrounding soft tissues simultaneously, making it particularly useful for assessing oral health, planning treatment, and detecting conditions that might not be visible in intraoral images.

In contrast, periapical radiography focuses on specific teeth and their surrounding structures, capturing a limited area rather than the entire dental arch. Cephalometric radiography is primarily designed for orthodontic assessments and evaluations of skeletal relationships, rather than comprehensive views of the dental arch. Computed tomography, while providing detailed cross-sectional images, is typically used for more complex diagnostic needs and is not the go-to method for viewing the entirety of a dental arch in a straightforward manner. Thus, panoramic radiography is the most suitable choice for this particular requirement.