Use of Film-Holding Devices in Bitewing Radiography

Bitewing radiographs are routinely used for diagnosis of interproximal caries. Technical errors often occur. Film-holding devices have been recommended as a means of preventing or limiting some of the technical errors. Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic quality of bitewing radiographs taken with and without the aid of film-holding devices. Methods: 100 bitewing radiographs taken by senior dental students were evaluated. Fifty bitewing radiographs were taken making use of films with bitewing tabs and fifty with a film-holding device. Two observers analysed the radiographs using a x-ray viewing box under standardised optimal conditions. The diagnostic quality for each bitewing was calculated by dividing the number of non-overlapped contacts by the total number present. The differences were statistically analysed. Results: Of the 100 bitewing films with a diagnostic quality of greater than 0.75,48% were taken with a film-holding device and 52% with a bitewing tab. Conclusions: The overall diagnostic yield for each film was not significantly improved by the use of the film holding device.