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Published September 2026

1 of 5A small sensor slides between the back teeth
  1. A small sensor slides between the back teeth
  2. You bite gently on the tab that holds it in place
  3. A short beep, and the picture is taken
  4. One image shows the crowns of the upper and lower teeth together
  5. Decay starting between teeth shows up as a shadow the eye cannot see

Who usually does it

general dentist. Taken in the general office, often by the hygienist, usually once a year.

One question worth asking

How often do you take these, and can you show me what changed since the last set?

Bitewing taken from outside the mouth

Check-ups and X-raysUpgradeD0251

D0251. Taken with the sensor outside the mouth for people who cannot hold a sensor inside; plans often pay the regular bitewing rate. Some plans call this an optional service or an alternate benefit. The plan pays what the standard version costs. You pay the difference.

Bitewing X-rays show the crowns of the back teeth on both jaws in one picture so the dentist can spot cavities between teeth and check bone level. You bite on a small tab while the picture is taken. The codes differ only by how many pictures are taken.

You bite on a small tab and one picture catches the crowns of the upper and lower back teeth together. Decay between teeth and the level of the bone show up here long before they can be seen or felt. The codes count pictures, so a four-image set and a single image are different lines. Most plans file this as Preventive. What they actually pay varies by plan.

Codes for this

D0251UpgradeBitewing taken from outside the mouthTaken with the sensor outside the mouth for people who cannot hold a sensor inside; plans often pay the regular bitewing rate.per image · Rarely doneD0270PreventiveOne bitewing X-rayA single bitewing picture, usually for a child or to check one side.per image · Done sometimesD0272PreventiveTwo bitewing X-raysThe usual set for a child or small adult mouth, one picture per side.per visit · Done oftenD0273PreventiveThree bitewing X-raysThree pictures, used when two do not cover all the back teeth.per visit · Done sometimesD0274PreventiveFour bitewing X-raysThe standard adult set, two pictures per side, taken about once a year.per visit · Done oftenD0277PreventiveSeven or eight vertical bitewingsTaller pictures that also show bone level, used when tracking gum disease.per visit · Done sometimesD0705PreventiveBitewing, picture onlyThe picture is taken from outside the mouth but read by a different dentist, so only the capture is billed.per image · Rarely doneD0708PreventiveBitewing, picture onlyThe bitewing is taken here but read by another dentist, so only the capture is billed.per image · Rarely done
Have this on your plan?

Upload it or type the lines. We read it and show what happened to other patients. Free, no account.

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No dental office can pay to change what we show you.
Part of these flowsAdult check-up cycleCavity in a baby molarRoutine check-up cycle for a young childOld filling or cracked tooth to a crownTeen check-up cycle and second-molar sealantsCavity in a brand-new adult molar

Related

Bitewing taken from outside the mouth (D0251): what happens, step by step | TruthMolar