Radiographic yield: Criteria and Rationale for prescribing Bilateral Bitewings Radiographs

Abstract

Introduction: The use of bilateral bite wings (BBW) radiographs greatly improves the diagnosis of inter-proximal caries lesions. Objective: To evaluate the prescription pattern and yield of bilateral bitewing radiographs at the University of Nairobi Dental Hospital.(UDH). Materials and methods: Bilateral bitewing radiographs and clinical records of patients seen at various departments of university of Nairobi dental hospital between January and December 2005 were randomly selected and evaluated for caries detected on clinical and radiographic examinations. Results: A total of 2338 (45%) patients had bilateral bitewing radiographs were taken. 331 of these were scrutinized. 172 showed proximal caries on clinical examination and 234 showed proximal caries on taking BBW, 68 of them showed no caries clinically. Although 159 patients showed no caries clinically, 64 (42%) showed caries on taking BBW. Conclusion: There was no relationship between the radiographic finding and the justification for taking the radiograph. A simplified criteria of taking bilateral bitewing radiographs should be formulated.