Dental Charting (reading)

50 important questions on Dental Charting (reading)

What are the three charting systems commonly used?

1. Palmer system
2. Universal system
3. FDI system

Explain the Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) charting system.

  • 2 digit system: 1st digit represents the quadrant, 2nd digit represents tooth position
  • 1-4 quadrants (UR 1, UL 2, LL 3, LR 4)
  • 1-8 deciduous teeth positions (1= central incisor, third molar = 8)
  • For deciduous teeth, quadrants are labeled 5-8 and teeth are designated 1-5

What does the inner grid represent on Forensic Notation?

The inner grid represents current/present dental status.
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What does the outer grid represent on Forensic Notation?

The outer grid represents work to be carried out.

Define incisal tooth surface.

The incisal surface is the biting edge of the incisors and canines

Define occlusal tooth surface.

The occlusal surface is the biting surfaces of premolars and molars

Define mesial tooth surface.

The mesial surface is the surface of any tooth nearest to the mid-line of the arch

Define distal tooth surface.

The distal surface is the surface of any tooth furthest from the mid-line of the arch.

Define buccal tooth surface.

The buccal surface is the surface facing the cheeks for molars and premolars.

Define labial tooth surface.

The labial surface is the surface facing the lips for incisors and canines.

Define palatal tooth surface.

The palatal surface is the surface facing the palate for all upper teeth.

Define lingual tooth surface.

The lingual surface is the surface facing the tongue for all lower teeth.

What is the cervical part of the tooth?

It is the part of the tooth next to the gingival margin.

What does this notation represent?

Fracture

How is a cavity notated?

Uncolored circle on the surface of the cavity.

How is a porcelain veneer notated?

PV

How is a primary tooth that should've been shed and been replaced by a permanent dentition notated?

A box in the upper left corner of the tooth with the letter representing the deciduous tooth.
  • A = Central incisor
  • B = Lateral incisor
  • C = Canine
  • D = First molar
  • E = Second molar

How is a restoration notated?

Fully coloured circle

How is a root filled tooth (root canal) notated?

RF = root filled

How is a porcelain jacket crown notated?

PJC = porcelain jacket crown

How is a porcelain bonded crown notated?

PBC = porcelain bonded crown

How is a present artificial tooth notated?

Capital letter A = present artificial tooth

How is a distally rotated tooth notated?

Arrow pointing towards the distal direction of that tooth  (image shows distally rotated tooth in the lower right)

How is a mesially rotated tooth notated?

Arrow pointing towards the mesial direction of that tooth (image shows mesially rotated tooth in the lower left)

How is a crown notated?

CR = crown

How is a cavity across multiple tooth surfaces notated?

Curved line across the cavitated surfaces, uncoloured

How is a restoration across multiple tooth surfaces notated?

Curved line across the cavitated surfaces, fully coloured

How is an instanding tooth notated?

An arrow pointing towards the direction of the palate or the tongue

How is an implant notated?

IMP = implant

How is a fissure sealant notated?

FS = fissure sealant

How is a missing tooth with closed space notated?

Two arrows pointing towards each other
(the image shows neighbouring teeth have moved in in the direction of the arrow, closing the gap)

How is a porcelain inlay notated?

Marked with an outline filled with vertical lines + PI

How is an outstanding tooth notated?

An arrow pointing towards the buccal or labial direction

How is a retained root notated?

Small crosses

How is a tooth to be extracted notated?

A line from the upper right corner of the tooth to the lower left corner of the tooth

How is a preventative resin restoration notated?

PRR = preventative resin restoration

How is a tooth drifting distally notated?

An arrow starting from the mesial surface pointing distally (image shows upper right tooth)

How is a bridge abutment notated?

BA = bridge abutment

How is a bridge pontic notated?

A horizontal line across the tooth + BP (bridge pontic)

How is a tooth drifting mesially notated?

An arrow starting from the distal surface of the tooth pointing mesially (the image shows a tooth in the upper left)

How is a full gold crown notated?

FGC = full gold crown

How is a temporary dressing notated?

TEMP (temporary dressing) + curved lines filled with vertical lines

How is a gold inlay notated?

GI (gold inlay) + curved lines filled with vertical lines

How is a partially erupted tooth notated?

PE = partially erupted

How is a recently extracted tooth notated?

Two diagonal lines crossing each other

How is the basic periodontal examination (BPE) done?


A WHO/BPE probe is introduced into the gingival sulcus and a light probing pressure is used around the buccal and then lingual/palatal surfaces.

How is the mouth divided for BPE?

The mouth is divided into sextant (no 8’s) represented by a single box chart for each sextant

What is recorded for each sextant from probing?

For each sextant only the highest score is recorded eg: 0<1<2<3<4

What is the criteria for each BPE codes (1, 2, 3, 4, *)?

0 - Healthy periodontal tissues, no bleeding after gentle probing
1- Bleeding after gentle probing, black band remains completely visible (probing depth up to 3.5mm), no calculus or defective margins detected
2 - Black band remains completely visible (probing depth up to 3.5mm), calculus or other plaque retention factor detected
3 - Black band partially visible in deepest pocket (shallow pocket up to 5mm)
4 - Black band not visible in pocket (deep pocket of more than 5.5mm) 
* - Furcation involvement (bone loss at where the roots of a multirooted tooth divide)

What are the limitations for paper charting?

  • Hard to distinguish types and size of restoration
  • Inconsistent use of initials
  • Potential for misunderstanding between systems

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