TOOTH NUMBERS DIAGRAM


Featured Pages:


Custom Search


Tooth Numbers Diagram:

There are different ways that dentists number teeth, but the Universal method shown below is generally accepted as the standard numbering method. Many orthodontists use the Palmer system, which is diagrammed a bit later.

The following two tooth number diagrams show the:

UNIVERSAL TOOTH NUMBERING SYSTEM


tooth numbers diagram

RIGHT AND LEFT: RIGHT and LEFT side referrals are ALWAYS THE PATIENT'S RIGHT AND LEFT.

NUMBERS: Teeth are numbered 1-16 from the UPPER RIGHT TO UPPER LEFT, and 17-32 from LOWER LEFT TO LOWER RIGHT. Teeth #1, 16, 17, 32 are the WISDOM TEETH, and are often EXTRACTED.

tooth numbering system





As shown in the tooth numbers diagram below:

UR: upper right
UL: upper left
LR: lower right
LL: lower left

  • Upper Central Incisors are #8 (UR), #9 (UL);
  • Upper Lateral Incisors are #7 (UR), #10 (UL)
  • Lower Incisors are #23, #24, #25, #26
  • Canines are #6 (UR), #11 (UL), #22 (LL), #27 (LR)
  • First Premolars are #5 (UR), #12 (UL), #21 (LL), #28 (LR); and are often extracted prior to orthodontic treatment
  • Second Premolars are #4 (UR), #13 (UL), #20 (LL), #29 (LR)
  • First Molars are #3 (UR), #14 (UL), #19 (LL), #30 (LR)
  • Second Molars are #2 (UR), #15 (UL), #18 (LL), #31 (LR)
  • Wisdom Teeth are #1 (UR), #16 (UL), #17 (LL), #32 (LR)


PERMANENT TOOTH NUMBERS DIAGRAM:


tooth numbers diagram permanent teeth numbers



tooth numbers diagram permanent teeth names



PALMER TOOTH NUMBERING SYSTEM:

The Palmer system is often used by orthodontists, and is numbered #1-#8, starting with the central incisors and going back as the diagrams below indicate. The box corners are placed by each number to dictate which quadrant of the mouth is being noted.

Because the 32 teeth are only numbered 1-8, this can cause some confusion since 8 sets of 4 teeth all have the same number, unlike the universal system above where all teeth have their own unique number.

Note that the 4 wisdom teeth are all #8, and are not shown in the tooth number diagrams below since they are often extracted. palmer tooth numbering system

palmer tooth numbers




PRIMARY TOOTH NUMBER DIAGRAM:

PRIMARY TEETH are LETTERED A-J, from UPPER RIGHT TO UPPER LEFT, and K-T, from LOWER LEFT TO LOWER RIGHT.

PERMANENT PREMOLARS erupt IN PLACE of PRIMARY MOLARS.

PERMANENT MOLARS erupt BEHIND PRIMARY MOLARS.


tooth numbers diagram primary teeth baby teeth letters



tooth numbers diagram primary teeth baby teeth names


*Pictures by Stephen F. Gordon, 1993.



MIXED DENTITION:

This refers to the stage during adolescence when a child has both primary and permanent teeth. After the primary teeth are lost, permanent teeth erupt into their places. The diagram below is of about a 5 year old, so still with primary teeth, but it shows which permanent teeth come into their places.

mixed dentition teeth diagram



TOOTH DIRECTIONS:

MESIAL:

The mesial (MEE-ze-ul) side of a tooth is the side closest to the center of the mouth. For example, in the above tooth numbers diagrams, the mesial side of #3 is the side that touches #4, the mesial side of #4 is the side that touches #5, and so on.

On the other side however, the mesial side of #14 is the side that touches #13, the mesial side of #13 is the side that touches #12, and so on.

DISTAL:

The distal (DIST-ul) side of a tooth is the side furthest from the center, which is also the opposite of mesial. If you refer the the tooth numbers diagrams, the mesial of #3 contacts the distal of #4, the mesial of #4 contacts the distal of #5, and so on.

OCCLUSAL:

The occlusal side of the posterior teeth is the side that chews the food, and the side that contacts the teeth in the opposing arch.

INCISAL:

The incisal side is the edge of the front 6 upper and lower teeth that you bite off food with. It is analogous to the occlusal surface in the posterior teeth.

FACIAL or BUCCAL or LABIAL:

This is the outer side of the teeth that people see when you smile. Facial refers to the side of the tooth that your face is on, buccal refers to the side of the tooth that contacts your cheeks, and labial refers to the side of the tooth that contacts your lips.

All three of these terms are used pretty much interchangeably.

LINGUAL:

This is the side of either your upper or lower teeth that is opposite the facial side, or the side that people do not see when you smile. Lingual refers to the tongue side of the tooth.

PALATAL:

This is the same as the lingual side above, but is only used when talking about the upper teeth, since the palate is the general area of the roof of your mouth.



FILLINGS:

When fillings are done, the dentist will talk about which surfaces the filling will involve.

MO = MESIAL + OCCLUSAL DO = DISTAL + OCCLUSAL MOD = MESIAL + DISTAL + OCCLUSAL

So when you see your bill, and see a bunch of letters as above, you'll know what was involved.

For example,

For Tooth #13, MO filling, This is a filling on tooth #13 that involved the mesial and occlusal surfaces.


Visit our page on Childrens Dentistry
Visit our page on Braces/Retainers


Share your dental experience!

What do you like or dislike about your dentist or going to the dentist? Any recent good or bad experiences? Share it with us!

Enter Your Title

Tell Us Your Story![ ? ]

Upload 1-4 Pictures or Graphics (optional)[ ? ]

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Click here to upload more images (optional)

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

Your Name

(first or full name)

Your Location

(ex. City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

Check box to agree to these submission guidelines.


(You can preview and edit on the next page)

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

canine teeth not teethed Not rated yet
Question: my daughter 18 months ols she got central and laterl incisors both upper and lower portion total 8,now she is getting first molar teeth both …

Click here to write your own.


Website hosted by Sitesell.com



DISCLAIMER : CONTACT US : FREE EZINE

SBI
SBI!