Bitewing Technique (Lecture 2)

What is the purpose of bitewings (BWX) ?

Examine crowns of maxillary & mandibular teeth, Interproximal areas, alveolar bone

What does BWX help detect?

Interproximal caries, decay, and bone loss

How is the receptor placed on the occlusal plane?

Parallel

• Occlusal plane is aligned parallel to the floor

What does Interproximal mean?

Area between two adjacent tooth surfaces

What is alveolar bone?

Bone that supports and encases roots of tooth

What is the crestal bone (alveolar crest) ?

Most coronal portion of alveolar bone between teeth

What is the contact area?

Area where adjacent tooth surfaces touch each other

How does an open contact appear on radiograph?

Thin radiolucent line between teeth

What angulation error causes overlapped contacts?

Incorrect horizontal angulation

What is used to stabilize the receptor in BWX?

Beam alignment devices or bite tabs

Why must receptor placement follow the curvature of posterior arch?

To capture premolars and molars

The landmark in a premolar shot is..

half of the canine

The landmark in a molar shot is…

Half of the 2nd premolar

How should the central ray be directed?

Through contacts of teeth

• Centered on receptor

What is correct horizontal angulation?

Central ray perpendicular to curvature of arch

What is correct vertical angulation?

+10 degrees

How is receptor positioned in paralleling?

Paralleling to crowns of both arches