odontograms

An odontogram is a graphical representation of a patient's dentition used by dentists to document the condition of teeth and surrounding oral structures. It serves as a visual record updated with each examination and treatment, enabling treatment planning, progress tracking, and legal documentation. Odontograms typically depict the upper and lower jaws as a schematic map of the dentition, including both primary and permanent teeth depending on patient age. Each tooth is identified by its number in a standard naming system (for example, the FDI World Dental Federation two-digit system or the Universal Numbering System) and annotated with symbols or color-coded marks indicating findings such as caries, restorations (fillings, crowns, inlays), missing or extracted teeth, signs of endodontic treatment, implants, and prosthetic work. Additional annotations may record periodontal status, mobility, furcation involvement, or occlusal relationships.

Historically, odontograms emerged as part of systematic dental record-keeping and have evolved from hand-drawn diagrams to digital charts in electronic health records. Modern odontograms can be produced by computer software and integrated with radiographs, intraoral images, and treatment plans, allowing standardized transfer of information between providers and clinics.

Limitations include reliance on consistent recording and interpretation, potential variability between clinicians, and the need to accompany the chart with descriptive notes. Odontograms are also used in education and research to study patterns of dental disease and treatment outcomes.