An odontogram is the graphic at the heart of a digital dental chart: a row of upper and lower teeth, usually drawn with roots, on which the clinician marks existing work, diagnoses and planned treatment. It replaces the hand-drawn tooth chart in a paper file.
Each tooth in the diagram is clickable by surface, and each mark is linked to a procedure code, a date and a provider. Some systems draw separate odontograms for adult and primary teeth, or a mixed view for children with both.
Why it matters when you choose software
The odontogram is where the chair-side team spends the day, so speed and clarity matter more than anything else. Test it on a tablet, with gloves on if you can. Check that it supports your numbering system, shows conditions in a legend you can read at a glance and prints a clear chart for a referral.
Also check how it displays implants, bridges and missing teeth, because these are where simple diagrams fail.
Go deeper
FAQ
What is the difference between an odontogram and a dental chart?
The odontogram is the tooth diagram. The dental chart is the whole record, which also contains the treatment plan, completed procedures, perio chart and clinical notes.