Radiographic TechniqueQuestion 36 of 100
Which vertical angulation is customarily used for a posterior bitewing exposure?
a.0 degrees, with the beam exactly horizontal
b.About +10 degrees, angled slightly downward
c.About -15 degrees, angled upward
d.About +40 degrees, steeply downward
Explanation
A vertical angulation of roughly +10 degrees is standard for bitewings; the slight downward angle compensates for the tilt of the receptor and the curve of the palate. A true 0-degree setting often produces overlapping of the occlusal surfaces. Negative angulation is used for some mandibular projections rather than bitewings, and +40 degrees is far too steep and would foreshorten the image.
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