Australian Dental Council (ADC) Test 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Bitewing x-rays are specifically designed to capture the areas between the teeth in order to identify caries that may be developing in interproximal surfaces, which are the areas between adjacent teeth. These x-rays provide a clear view of both the crowns of the teeth and the bone level, allowing for effective assessment of carious lesions that are otherwise difficult to detect during a clinical examination.

The interproximal surfaces have a high tendency to harbor carious lesions because they are often less accessible during visual assessments and can be obscured by the overlapping of teeth. In clinical practice, the bitewing x-ray is the standard imaging modality used to detect these caries early, facilitating timely intervention and preventing further dental problems.

Other options, such as occlusally, lingually, and gingivally, do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of bitewing x-rays, which focuses on the interproximal regions where decay is frequently located.