Bitewing X-rays: What They Are And Why Your Dentist Recommends Them

September 14, 2022

What Is A Bitewing X-Ray?

A bitewing x-ray is a type of dental x-ray that provides your dentist with specific information about your teeth, gums, and jawline. There are several types of X-rays – periapical X-ray, bitewing X-ray, occlusal x-ray, panoramic X-ray, cephalometric X-ray and Cone Beam X-ray– and they’re similar in that they provide diagnostic images to your dentist, but they each serve different purposes.

What is a Bitewing X-ray?

Bitewing X-rays are incredibly common and are often taken for preventive purposes because they are a great way to see any decay between teeth or below the gum line.

The term bitewing refers to how the film — or sensor, in the case of a digital X-ray — is positioned in the mouth: the patient bites down on a little tab or wing that holds the apparatus in place. One bitewing is taken for each side to assess the posterior teeth.

These are usually done in a horizontal manner, however, they can also be done vertically to gain some more information.

It does not include images of the tongue, throat, or gums. A bitewing x-ray is usually used as a diagnostic tool for dental issues such as infections, inflammatory diseases, cysts, cancers, traumatic injuries or orthodontic problems.

When Your Dentist May Recommend Bitewing X-Rays

 You may need a bitewing X-ray if:

•You're experiencing some kind of tooth pain or discomfort

•You want to keep track of the general health and condition of your teeth and gums  

•Your dentist suspects you have cavities, gum disease, or periodontal disease.

Generally, your dentist will recommend that you have new bitewing X-rays taken each year as they provide important information about your oral health and the progress of dental decay.

A bitewing X-ray is one of the most important tools your dentist will use to assess the health of your teeth, since it is able to reveal areas that would otherwise be hard for them to see.

How Are Bitewing X-rays Taken?

Reveal Diagnostics provides an optimised collimated interproximal projection with a low dose to study dental crowns.

This is an alternative to intraoral bitewings, with a less invasive and more comfortable procedure.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

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