Radiographic reporting

Question 1

How should we report a radiograph

Answer 1

• justification
• list of view taken
• grade the image
• apices
• bone
• dentition

Question 2

What do we mention when listing view taken

Answer 2

o Periapical of ‘teeth requested’
o OPT (full or sectional – L or R)

Question 3

How do we grade the image

Answer 3

o Diagnostically acceptable
o Diagnostically unacceptable

Question 4

What do we look at when looking at the apices

Answer 4

o Location
o Size
o Margins
o What these changes signify
o If appropriate, suggest further investigation/tx

Question 5

What do we look at with bone

Answer 5

o General statement: good bone levels, moderate bone loss etc, can use BSP staging
o Note any angular defects/furcation involvement

Question 6

What do we look at in regards to the dentition

Answer 6

o No requirement to specify teeth/restorations if they match charting
o General statement: adult/mixed/primary dentition
o Heavily restored/moderately restored/minimally restored
o Retained roots/associated pathology
o List RCT and comment on obturation/condensation
o Comment on defects in restorations
o Detail caries that is evident and depth