Patent ID: 7871199

Claim:
A bite block for taking bitewing x-rays on a dental x-ray medium comprising: a biting portion having a longitudinal axis extending from a handle portion to a dental medium holder portion of the bite block; an alignment guide extending along the biting portion of the bite block at least part of the way between the handle portion and the dental medium holder portion of the bite block so that the longitudinal axis of the alignment guide is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the biting portion so that the longitudinal axis of the alignment guide likewise extends from the handle portion to the dental medium holder portion, the alignment guide being configured to be aligned substantially parallel to interproximal surfaces of interest of meeting maxillary and mandibular buccal surfaces upon insertion into an oral cavity of a patient, thereby positioning a dental x-ray medium perpendicular or near perpendicular to the interproximal surfaces of interest; and a textured portion extending substantially adjacent to the alignment guide, whereby the textured portion provides for friction between biting surfaces of the maxillary and mandibular teeth and the biting portion of the bite block.