Fixing Overlap on Your Bitewing

I regularly would tell my students in the radiology lab and even in clinic that “radiology is an art, not a science”. Do you agree with this? Seeing students try to understand the concepts of radiology and creating a 2D image of a 3D thing is tricky, and does need practice.

We know that there is so much science involved with radiology, when it comes to exposure,  KVP, waves, etc. But, there is an element of art along with it- perfecting angles, sensor placement, patient comfort, and education to have the perfect exposure of a bitewing or periapical. 

One of the trickiest parts of having the perfect bitewing is definitely horizontal angulation. Knowing where to place the tubehead is critical to prevent overlap. We know that this angle is such an important part of a bitewing. Without it, we will end up having overlapping contacts and overlapping teeth that cover the height of the bone and ultimately an undiagnosed radiograph.

How can we help prevent these diagnosed radiographs from happening? Practice! With ALARA, it can definitely be hard to practice radiology on our patients, but utilizing a manikin like the Kilgore Radiology Manikin is a game changer. Having this will allow you, your students, or your coworkers to be able to practice their techniques, feel confident in their radiology skills, and to make sure we understand the techniques and tricks when it comes to taking an x ray. 

To learn more about this manikin, but also some helpful tips when it comes to taking proper bitewings, both molar and premolar images, definitely check out this video from us at Hygiene Edge.

xoxo Melia, RDH

A huge thank you to Kilgore for supporting our educational efforts here at Hygiene Edge! Their goals definitely align with ours- helping clinicians feel empowered to give the best possible care to our patients and communities.