FGDP Guidelines

Question 1

Early mixed dentition: Central incisors?

Answer 1

Take intraoral radiographs when:

Tooth unerupted beyond the normal eruption range
- ? supernumerary or history of trauma

Tooth erupted with gross rotation or with large diastema
- ? unerupted supernumerary

Question 2

Early mixed dentition: Lateral incisors?

Answer 2

If unerupted beyond the normal eruption range = I/O radiograph but if this reveals no lateral incisor = panoramic radiograph
- ? hypodonia

Peg shaped with no canine palpable (from 9) or erupted
- ? misplaced U/E canine

Question 3

Early mixed dentition: Lower incisors?

Answer 3

If unerupted beyond the normal eruption range

- ? retained primary

Question 4

Early mixed dentition: First permanent molars?

Answer 4

When there is a doubtful prognosis of 1 or more first permanent molars, in a patient with a high caries incidence
= Panoramic radiograph
- ? presence of 5 and 7

Question 5

Late mixed dentition: Canines?

Answer 5

If the patient is 11 years old or over and the canines are not palpable buccally or palatally
= I/O radiograph

If tooth is palpable palatally only = I/O radiograph and refer for specialist opinion
If palpable buccally but in an abnormal position = I/O radiograph

CBCT may be used to assess an impacted tooth and possible resorption of adjacent tooth

Question 6

Late mixed dentition: Deciduous molars?

Answer 6

Delayed loss of primary molars

• If in 1-2 quadrants = I/O
• If in 3-4 quadrants = panoramic

Submerged primary molars
- Under 10 years old = wait and watch but if deteriorating = I/O
? developmentally absent 2nd premolars if E retained
- Over 10 years old and in 2 or more quadrants = panoramic radiograph

Question 7

Late mixed dentition: Permanent molars?

Answer 7

A grossly carious 1st molar may need a field limited panoramic radiograph to assess the condition and prognosis of the other 1st molars and to confirm the presence of permanent successional teeth

Question 8

High caries risk children?

Answer 8

BWs 6 monthly

Question 9

Moderate caries risk children?

Answer 9

BWs 1 yearly

Question 10

Low caries risk children?

Answer 10

Primary dentition 12 - 18 monthly

Permanent dentition 2 yearly

Question 11

High caries risk adults?

Answer 11

6 monthly BWs taken until no new or active lesions are apparent

Question 12

Moderate caries risk adults?

Answer 12

1 yearly BWs until no new or active lesions are apparent

Question 13

Low caries risk adults?

Answer 13

2 yearly BWs

Question 14

Radiographs for periodontal purposes?

Answer 14

Generalised pocketing of 4-5mm and little/no recession = BWs (possibly PAs for anterior teeth)

Assessment of all teeth and their periodontal support
- Panoramic (+/- PAs)

If periodontal/endodontic lesion suspected = periapical radiograph using paralleling technique

6mm or more pocket depths = PAs using paralleling technique at sites where alveolar bone image is not included

Question 15

Radiographs in endodontics?

Answer 15

For a diagnosis - PA
Prior to RCT assess the:
- Form and extent of the pulp
- Pulp stones and canal sclerosis
- Number of roots 
- Approximate length of root and crown to length ratio 
- Root shape, curvature
- Proximity to ID canal, mental foramen and maxillary antrum 
- Amount of supporting bone 
- Evidence of previous RCT and quality of the coronal restoration present
- Evidence of root fracture
- Perforation
- Extruded obturation

WL determination PA
Mid-fill PA if doubts about the integrity of the apical constriction or resistance taper of the prepared root canal
Immediate post op PA to assess the success of the obturation and act as a baseline for assessment of periapical pathology or healing

Post operative PA 1 year post RCT completion, alongside history and clinical assessment