MICAP--a novel system for identification and communication of dental problems

Abstract

Aim: To design a new tooth notation system to record and communicate dental and periodontal problems around the world.

Methodology: The design of a new tooth notification system is based on the first letter of each tooth class, M-molar, I-incisor, C-canine and P-premolar, termed as ANAASEA letters and digits (1, 2, 3), termed as TOT digits, assigned to appropriate tooth types to record the right and left maxillary and mandibular teeth of both permanent and deciduous dentitions for specifically dental and periodontal charting and generally other dental oriented purposes. The letter 'd' is written along with the ANAASEA letters used for deciduous tooth classes.

Results: The MICAP system records and communicates dental and periodontal problems manually as well as electronically by using letters I, C, P, M and assigned digits 1, 2, 3. The assigned digits are written as superscript and subscript on right and left sides of letters I, C, P and M not only to identify teeth during oral examination but also in writing referral letters and submitting dental claims for various performed dental procedures.

Conclusions: The identification of and communication about human teeth by the MICAP system is simple, error free and user/computer friendly.

Figure 1.

Division of each ANAASEA letter into four quadrants as the patient’s view i.e. the patient’s right corresponds to right of the ANAASEA letter. Imaginary horizontal and vertical lines are shown just for clarity.

Figure 2.

MICAP tooth notation system for the complete permanent dentition where each tooth class is presented by the first letter of its Latin derived name (I, C, P, M) termed as ANAASEA letters and appropriate tooth types are indicated by allotted digits (1, 2, 3) termed as TOT digits which are written as superscript and subscript. For example, the maxillary right first, second and third molars are denoted as #¹²³M. The TOT digits are pronounced separately as one, two, three (1, 2, 3) instead of one twenty three (123) or three twenty one (321).

Figure 3.

Identification of mandibular right canine, maxillary left 2nd premolar, mandibular right 1st and 2nd premolar and maxillary left 1st and 3rd molar by using letters C, P & M termed as ANAASEA letters and their respective allotted digits 1, 2, 3 termed as TOT digits relevantly printed as superscript and subscript.

Figure 4.

Periodontal data is presented using letters I, C, P and M (ANAASEA letters) which represent each tooth class with assigned appropriate digits (TOT digits 1, 2, 3) written as superscript and subscript showing the tooth types e.g. mandibular right first and second premolar such as #₁₂P.

Figure 5.

Representation of dental conditions (dental charting) by using the MICAP system. For example #P₂ (Mandibular left 2nd premolar) is marked for pulpitis.

Figure 6.

A suggested presentation of the mixed dentition in the MICAP system.