Bite-Wing Radiographs

Question 1

Crestal bone

Answer 1

the coronal portion (towards crown of tooth) of alveolar bone found between teeth

Question 2

What are contact areas?

Answer 2

area of a tooth that touches an adjacent tooth (where adjacent teeth interproximal surfaces contact each other)

Question 3

How do open contacts appear on radiographs?

Answer 3

As radiolucent lines

Question 4

In the bite-wing technique, the receptor is placed ______ to the crowns of both maxillary and mandibular teeth.

Answer 4

parallel

Question 5

To avoid overlap of open contact areas, the central ray of the x-ray beam must be directed ______ to the interproximals of the teeth.

Answer 5

perpendicular

Question 6

The receptor is placed is what direction for bite-wing radiographs

Answer 6

Horizontally (unless in special circumstances where vertical position must be used, horizontal is ideal)

Question 7

What size receptors are used for pediatric patients

Answer 7

size 1

Question 8

What size receptors are used for adult patients

Answer 8

size 2

Question 9

Which bite-wing should we expose first (premolar or molar) and why?

Answer 9

premolar since it is easier for the patient to tolerate and is easier to position

Question 10

Premolar bite-wings must display which teeth

Answer 10

distal half of canines & first and second premolars

Question 11

Molar bite-wing exposures must show which teeth

Answer 11

distals of 2nd premolar and posteriorly
*if 3rd molars have not yet erupted, they do not have to be displayed

Question 12

How can we eliminate the common overlap seen between the maxillary 1st and 2nd molars

Answer 12

slightly angle the mesial/anterior portion of the receptor towards the midline