POSTER SECTIONS Coverpage Learning objectives Background Imaging findings OR Procedure details Conclusion Personal information References

2023 ASM / C-31

Top Ten Tips for keeping your dental referrers happy!

Congress:

2023 ASM

Poster Number:

C-31

Type:

Educational Exhibit

Keywords:

Head and neck, Other

Authors:

S. Constantine, P. Anderson

DOI:

10.26044/ranzcr2023/C-31

DOI-Link:

https://dx.doi.org/10.26044/ranzcr2023/C-31

Learning objectives

We present ten ways of improving dental radiology reports.

Background

Dentists are dissatisfied with reports from medical radiologists[1]. Reasons include templated reports that do not address the dental issues, lack of detail, and inaccurate reporting.

Imaging findings OR Procedure details

TIP 1: KNOW YOUR DENTAL TERMINOLOGY. Dental terminology differs from medical terminology, because the jaw is curved. To indicate direction, the dental terms are: MESIAL – towards the midline DISTAL – away from the midline BUCCAL – towards the cheeks LABIAL – towards the lips PALATAL – towards the palate (maxilla) LINGUAL – towards the tongue (mandible) The teeth have a crown, cervical region, root(s) and root apex (Fig 1). [Fig 1] Lesions may be described as PERICORONAL (around the crown) or PERIAPICAL (around the...

Conclusion

Knowledge of basic oral anatomy and pathology is essential for good reporting of dental panoramic x-rays. We present simple ways of improving the quality of dental radiology reports, and help keep your dental referrers smiling.

Personal information

References

Selim DG, Sexton C, Monsour P. Dentomaxillofacial radiology in Australia and dentist satisfaction with radiology reports. Aust Dent J. 2018 Dec;63(4):402-13. DOI: 10.1111/adj.12642. Ganguly R, Ramesh A. Odontogenic sinusitis: an underdiagnosed condition. J Mass Dent Soc. 2014; 63(1): 46-7. Constantine S, Roach D, Liberali S, Kiermeier A, Sarkar P, Jannes J, Anderson P. Carotid Artery Calcification on Orthopantomograms (CACO Study) - is it indicative of carotid stenosis? Aust Dent J 2019 Mar; 64: 4-10. DOI: 10.1111/adj.12651.

Fig 1: Basic anatomy of a tooth.

Fig 2: Numbering of the permanent...

Fig 3: Numbering of the deciduous...

Fig 4: The upper right canine (13) is fully erupted. The upper left canine (23), is...

Fig 5: Diagram comparing the deciduous and permanent molars. Note the deciduous tooth...

Fig 6: Example of a child with oligodontia. There are only 14 of the expected 32...

Fig 7: Two supernumerary teeth in the mandible. Note that all 32 permanent teeth are...

Fig 8: A mesiodens is close to the midline, and a distodens is adjacent to the third...

Fig 9: Examples of macrodontic and microdontic third molars.

Fig 10: Example of a taurodont. Note the roots of 37 bifurcate quite low down compared...

Fig 11: Examples of bone islands in the mandible. Bone islands can be irregular,...

Fig 12: Two examples of Stafne defects on OPG, and an example on CT.

Fig 13: Ghost image. Note the real image on the right, and the ghost image on the left...

Fig 14: Left TMJ osteoarthritis. Note the flattening of the condyle, narrowed joint...

Fig 15: Odontogenic sinusitis. There is a periapical lucency affecting the root stumps...

Fig 16: Tonsillar and parotid gland calcifications. Note the tonsillar calcs are...

Fig 17: Carotid artery calcification and stent. Lymph node calcification.

Fig 18: Examples of periapical lucencies in a heavily decayed tooth, and a radicular...

Fig 19: Example of a dentigerous cyst associated with an impacted third molar. Note the...

Fig 20: Mesially impacted third molar, with the roots crossing the mandibular canal...

Fig 21: This OPG was reported as “No non-dental abnormality”. No mention was made...