Bitewings

What Are Bitewings?

They are small digital X-rays taken with the patient “biting” onto a special holder arm (hence the name “bitewing”). They simultaneously show the crowns of the upper and lower teeth in the same area — ideal for checking the contact between teeth.

What They Reveal — Why They're Important

Detecting decay between the teeth:

These cavities are INVISIBLE to clinical examination and DO NOT cause symptoms in the early stages. Bitewings catch them as soon as they begin to form — when only a small filling is needed.

Other findings:
Decay under existing fillings or crowns
Bone loss from early periodontitis
Calculus (tartar) below the gum line
Poor fit of fillings (overhangs)
Additional fillings that may have been missed clinically

Why Detection of Decay Between Teeth Is Critical

On the side surfaces of back teeth (molars, premolars) — where one tooth “touches” the next — the dentist cannot see with the naked eye. Yet this is the most common location for decay — because neither the brush nor floss reaches easily. Without bitewings, such decay is usually discovered when it’s already deep — requiring a larger filling, an inlay or even root canal treatment.

The Procedure

Preparation

Lead apron, thyroid collar (where needed).

Positioning

We place the digital sensor sideways in your mouth, between the upper and lower teeth. We ask you to “bite” on a small holder arm to stabilise the position

Exposure

Lasts less than 1 second. You remain with your mouth closed and still.

Immediate result:

We typically take one X-ray on the left and one on the right.

Immediate assessment:

The images appear on screen and we analyse them with you.

Benefits of Bitewings

Early decay detection — less invasive treatment
Very low radiation dose (~0.005 mSv per exposure)
Faster and more comfortable than periapicals
Better imaging of tooth-to-tooth contact (the “gap” between them)
Long-term cost savings — catching problems early

When Bitewings Are Taken

For adults with no decay history:
Every 18–36 months, as part of preventive check-ups.
For adults with a history of decay or high risk:
Every 6–12 months.
For children:
First bitewings: usually age 5–6
Frequency: based on decay risk — from every 6 months (high risk) to every 18 months (low risk)
For orthodontic patients:
Set intervals during treatment with braces, as the risk of decay increases.

How Many Bitewings We Take Each Time

Everything You Need to Know

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why do I need bitewings if my teeth don't hurt?

Because that’s exactly the point: decay between the teeth DOES NOT hurt until it reaches deeply. By the time it starts hurting, treatment is already more extensive and costly. Bitewings find it in its early stages.

Are they safe? How much radiation?

Very low: ~0.005 mSv per bitewing. Two bitewings equate to ~1 day of natural environmental radiation. Very safe.

How often are they needed?

For low-risk individuals: every 18–36 months. For high-risk individuals (history of decay, braces, children): every 6–12 months.

Are they uncomfortable?

Not particularly. You may feel slight pressure when biting on the holder arm. But it lasts only a few seconds.

At what age do they start in children?

Usually age 5–6, when the child’s back teeth are sufficiently developed and the child cooperates. At younger ages, monitoring is mainly clinical.

Are bitewings different from periapicals?

Yes. Bitewings show both UPPER & LOWER tooth crowns simultaneously — ideal for decay between them. Periapicals show the ENTIRE tooth, from crown to root — ideal for pulp/root conditions.