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Diagnosing periodontal and dental indicators with horizontal and vertical bitewing radiographs
Author(s) -
Hong Richard Y.,
Kwon Stephen,
Steffensen Bjorn,
Jain Shruti,
Levi Paul A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of dental education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1930-7837
pISSN - 0022-0337
DOI - 10.1002/jdd.12046
Subject(s) - radiography , medicine , dentistry , dental education , orthodontics , dental radiography , radiology
Objective The aim of this study is to compare information provided by the 2 orientations of bitewing radiographs, horizontal (HBW) and vertical (VBW) taken in a dental school. Methods and Materials Radiographic records were reviewed at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) for patients showing posterior bone loss who had both HBW and VBW. 320 records were reviewed with 6 criteria: visibility of crestal bone from the distal of the cuspids to the distal of the most posterior tooth, visibility of horizontal or angular bone loss, the crestal density of bone, visibility of interproximal contact areas, visibility of the entire anatomical crown, and visibility of furcations. Results Significantly higher number of VBW compared with HBW ( P < 0.0001) showed the levels of alveolar bone loss (52.81% vs. 3.75%), the type of loss (angular or horizontal) (50.94% vs. 3.75%), the crestal bone density (28.75% vs. 0.63%), the contact areas (20.63% vs. 14.38%), and the furcations (43.44% vs. 1.25%). A greater number of HBW showed the entire anatomical crown compared with VBW. No significant difference was detected in the number of radiographs taken per HBW and VBW set. Conclusion For patients with alveolar bone loss, VBW are superior to HBW when assessing bone levels, density, morphology, tooth furcations, and evaluating interproximal contact areas for caries. It is recommended that the vertical bitewing technique be taught as a standard in dental, dental hygiene, and dental assisting schools for adult patients showing evidence of posterior interdental bone loss.