If only one film is taken on each side for adults, what size is used?

In dental radiography, the size of the film used can vary depending on the type of X-ray being taken and the age of the patient. For adults, particularly when taking periapical images, the most commonly used film size is Size 2. This size is designed to capture adequate details of the entire tooth structure as well as the surrounding bone and is appropriate for most adult patients.

Size 1 is typically reserved for children or smaller adults, while Size 3 is larger and often used for bitewing films but not typically for periapical views. Size 4 is even larger, usually designated for occlusal views. Hence, when only one film is taken on each side for adults, Size 2 is the standard choice, accommodating the size of adult dental arches effectively while providing the necessary detail for diagnosis.