THE PRESCRIPTION AND TIMING OF BITEWING RADIOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF DENTAL-CARIES - CONTEMPORARY RECOMMENDATIONS

This 'personal view' makes recommendations on the use of the bitewing radiograph in the diagnosis of dental caries on the basis of published evidence about the disease and available diagnostic methods. It sugge sts that posterior bitewing radiographs are required for all new patie nts if the approximal surfaces of the teeth cannot be examined directl y. At this initial visit, an assessment of the caries risk of the indi vidual patient should be made. Subsequent radiographic recall interval s are suggested, which are determined on the basis of this risk assess ment. It should be appreciated that risk status may change over time a nd that, in the future, an individual's radiographic recall interval m ay have to be changed.