bitewings

Mouth film images

Bitewings are dental X-rays that capture the crowns of upper and lower teeth simultaneously.

The patient bites down on a tab or wing-shaped holder that keeps the film in position: The dentist ordered bitewings to check for cavities between the teeth.

Bitewings are standard in routine dental exams, revealing decay and bone loss not visible during visual inspection.

diagnosis

caries

Tooth tissue decay

  • cavityEmpty space within
  • decayGradual organic breakdown
  • lesionArea of pathological change

calculus · overhang · bone loss · demineralization

imaging

radiograph

Image from radiation exposure

digital · exposure · detector · positioning · horizontal · vertical · tab · beam · angulation · projection

anatomy

premolar

Tooth between canine and molar

  • molarRear crushing tooth
  • crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
  • enamelHard glossy coating

dentin · contact point · cusp · occlusal · mandibular · maxillary · cervical

Opposites
dental x-ray coverage/scope

bitewingscomplete series

All parts, no gaps

Family

bitewing

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G