Dental X-ray film holding tab and alignment method

A dental x-ray film holder has a film packet for holding x-ray film and is sized to fit adjacent one or more teeth in a patient'"'"'s mouth. A bite tab is attached to and extends from the film packet for gripping between the teeth to hold the film packet in place adjacent the teeth. An aligning system is provided on the bite tab for aiming an x-ray tube directly at the film packet adjacent the teeth and includes an opening in the bite tab for properly positioning the film packet adjacent a tooth. At least two aiming lines extend across one side of the bite tab and film packet and a center of film indication is on the bite tab. A method of aligning an x-ray tube for x-raying a patient'"'"'s teeth includes making the x-ray film holder having the film packet holding the x-ray film with a bite tab having aiming lines and a center of film line thereon, the aligning the x-ray tube with the lines on the bite tab, and x-raying a patient'"'"'s teeth with the x-ray tube aligned on the bite tab. The method includes the step of making the bite tab with an opening therethrough and through at least one aiming line positioning on a patient'"'"'s teeth.