A full mouth series is a complete set of intraoral X-rays taken of a patients' teeth and adjacent hard tissue.[1] This is often abbreviated as either FMS or FMX. The full mouth series is composed of 18 films:
- four bitewings
- eight posterior periapicals
- two maxillary molar periapicals (left and right)
- two maxillary premolar periapicals (left and right)
- two mandibular molar periapicals (left and right)
- two mandibular premolar periapicals (left and right)
- six anterior periapicals
- two maxillary canine-lateral incisor periapicals (left and right)
- two mandibular canine-lateral incisor periapicals (left and right)
- two central incisor periapicals (maxillary and mandibular)
The Faculty of General Dental Practice of the Royal College of Surgeons of England publication Selection Criteria in Dental Radiography holds that given current evidence full mouth series are to be discouraged due to the large numbers of radiographs involved, many of which will not be necessary for the patient's treatment. An alternative approach using bitewing screening with selected periapical views is suggested as a method of minimising radiation dose to the patient while maximizing diagnostic yield.
