Bitewing Radiographs – what are they and why do I need them?
What are bitewings? Bitewing radiographs are a series of two or four radiographs taken to provide diagnostic information about posterior (back) teeth. When do I need bitewings? The standard of care is to take bitewing radiographs a minimum of one time per calendar year. A full mouth series, which includes bitewings and other radiographs, is taken a minimum of one time every 5 years. Why do I need bitewings? Bitewings provide diagnostic information about your teeth that cannot be obtained in any other manner. What happens if I do not get bitewings? Tooth decay between your teeth may go undiagnosed and untreated. It is always more conservative, less invasive, and less costly to diagnose tooth decay early when it has just started, and bitewings provide the information required
What are bitewings?
Bitewing radiographs are a series of two or four radiographs taken to provide diagnostic information about posterior (back) teeth.
When do I need bitewings?
The standard of care is to take bitewing radiographs a minimum of one time per calendar year. A full mouth series, which includes bitewings and other radiographs, is taken a minimum of one time every 5 years.
Why do I need bitewings?
Bitewings provide diagnostic information about your teeth that cannot be obtained in any other manner.
What happens if I do not get bitewings?
Tooth decay between your teeth may go undiagnosed and untreated. It is always more conservative, less invasive, and less costly to diagnose tooth decay early when it has just started, and bitewings provide the information required to diagnose tooth decay as early as possible.
The three most common areas to get tooth decay are:
1. The biting surfaces of your teeth
2. In between your teeth
3. Around or underneath existing restorations (fillings, crowns, etc)
Unless a tooth has substantial, unquestionable tooth decay, it is difficult or impossible to detect tooth decay in between teeth by looking directly at the teeth in a patient’s mouth. Bitewing radiographs are the most conservative way to diagnose and/or rule out the presence of tooth decay in between teeth. Bitewings are also helpful in diagnosing decay around or underneath an existing restoration and can help determine if a restoration is leaking/failing.
Bitewings with Tooth Decay
- Arrow #1 indicates dark spot of decay under existing restoration/filling
- Arrow #2 indicates decay beginning in between teeth
- Arrow #3 indicates decay beginning in between teeth
We check to make sure your bitewings are up to date prior to each visit. If you have any questions, please call our office at (412) 281-3546, or email us at polisheddental@gmail.com.
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