A method for taking dental bitewing radiographs of a patient's teeth. A
receptor positioning device is provided which includes a receptor holding
member and an arm including a biting surface for engaging the patient's
teeth. The device includes a collimation plate with a cross-shaped
opening for passage of radiation from the x-ray machine. A pair of
handles extends away from the plate for positioning the device, with one
of the handles being radially aligned and the other of the handles being
non-radially aligned. Each handle includes a polymeric grip incorporating
an arm holder adjacent a base of the handle and having a rectangular
opening for slidably receiving the arm and removably securing the
collimation plate to the receptor holding member. One rectangular opening
is radially aligned and the other rectangular opening is non-radially
aligned. The method then includes aligning an x-ray machine with the
collimation plate and passing radiation from the x-ray machine through
the opening of the collimation plate to expose the receptor, while the
patient's hand grasps the collimation plate handle.