Chapter 15

Question 2

What causes an unequal distribution of the arches in a radiograph?

Answer 2

Incorrect vertical angulation.

A quality bitewing radiograph should image an equal portion of the maxillary and mandibular teeth plus a portion of the supporting bone.

Question 3

What results from incorrect centering of the x-ray beam?

Answer 3

Conecut error.

This occurs when the portion of the image receptor that was not in the path of the x-ray beam appears clear or blank on the resultant radiograph.

Question 4

What causes overlap error in the distal or posterior region of the image?

Answer 4

The horizontal angulation was directed obliquely from the mesial.

Question 5

What causes overlap error in the mesial or anterior region of the image?

Answer 5

The horizontal angulation was directed obliquely from the distal.

Question 6

Are bitewing radiographs held in place by the patient occluding on the image receptor holder?

Answer 6

FALSE

Question 7

Is the name ‘bitewing’ descriptive?

Answer 7

TRUE

Question 8

Can proximal surface caries be identified using bitewing radiographs?

Answer 8

TRUE

Question 9

Are bitewings limited in their ability to image the entire tooth?

Answer 9

TRUE

Question 10

Can an undiagnostic image result from incorrect positioning of the image receptor holder?

Answer 10

TRUE

Question 11

Is the image receptor for bitewing radiographs traditionally placed vertically in the posterior region?

Answer 11

FALSE

Question 12

Should anterior bitewings be exposed using a vertical angulation of +20 degrees?

Answer 12

FALSE

Question 13

Is it recommended to expose the molar bitewing first when taking four posterior bitewing radiographs?

Answer 13

FALSE

Question 14

Is it sometimes necessary to expose more than four bitewing radiographs on an individual patient?

Answer 14

TRUE

Question 15

Does conventional image receptor placement often result in overlapping of the contact area of molars?

Answer 15

FALSE

Question 16

Are there four radiographs in a posterior bitewing survey?

Answer 16

TRUE

Question 17

What is the term for the contact point between teeth in the same arch?

Answer 17

Proximal surface.

Question 18

Does ‘overlap’ refer to an elongated or foreshortened image on a bitewing radiograph?

Answer 18

FALSE

Question 19

Would a periodontally involved patient benefit more from vertical bitewing radiographs?

Answer 19

TRUE

Question 20

Do periapical radiographs image the alveolar bone crest better than bitewing radiographs?

Answer 20

FALSE

Question 21

If periapical radiographs are available, is there no need to expose additional bitewing radiographs?

Answer 21

FALSE

Question 22

Should the smallest available image receptor be used for bitewings on a child patient?

Answer 22

FALSE

Question 23

Does the size 3 image receptor have advantages over a size 2 image receptor for bitewing radiographs?

Answer 23

FALSE

Question 24

In a Class II occlusal relationship, where should the anterior edge of the image receptor be positioned for a premolar bitewing?

Answer 24

FALSE

Question 25

To avoid overlap error, how should the central ray of the x-ray beam be directed?

Answer 25

Perpendicular to the mean tangent.

Question 26

Where should the anterior edge of the image receptor be placed for a premolar bitewing radiograph?

Answer 26

Align the anterior edge behind the distal half of the maxillary or mandibular canine.

Question 27

What is the point of entry for all bitewing exposures?

Answer 27

On the level of the occlusal plane at a point opposite the center of the image receptor.

Question 28

What type of error occurs when the image receptor is not centered within the x-ray beam?

Answer 28

Conecut error.

Question 29

Which bitewing exposure should the radiographer start with first?

Answer 29

Expose the premolar bitewing on one side first.

Question 30

What is the orientation of a traditionally placed bitewing radiograph in the posterior regions?

Answer 30

The longest dimension is placed horizontally.

Question 31

For bitewing radiographs, which arch should be imaged more?

Answer 31

Both arches should be imaged equally.

Question 32

What is the main purpose of the bitewing radiograph?

Answer 32

To detect caries on the proximal surfaces of adjacent teeth.

Question 33

How should both arches be imaged?

Answer 33

Both arches should be imaged equally. Care should be taken to ensure that the image receptor is positioned in such a manner that it is evenly divided between the maxillary and mandibular teeth.

Question 34

What is the main purpose of the bitewing radiograph?

Answer 34

To detect caries on the proximal surfaces of adjacent teeth. The ability to image incipient decay is particularly valuable in the molar region, where small carious lesions are often hidden because of the wide buccolingual dimensions of the teeth.

Question 35

What size image receptor is used for bitewing radiographs on a child with primary teeth?

Answer 35

Size 0 or size 1. The preferred size for a mixed dentition is size 2. Tissue sensitivity or anatomical limitations must be taken into consideration when selecting image receptor size.

Question 36

Which two angulations are critical to producing quality bitewing radiographs?

Answer 36

Horizontal and vertical angulations. Horizontal angulation is the positioning of the central ray in the horizontal (side-to-side) plane, while vertical angulation is the positioning of the central ray in the vertical (up-and-down) plane.

Question 37

What is the name of the portion of the image receptor holder that helps the radiographer determine the point of entry?

Answer 37

External aiming device. Without an external aiming device, some operators find it difficult to determine the correct horizontal and vertical angulations and centering of the image receptor within the x-ray beam.