What is the Tooth Number Chart?
You may want to know how teeth are numbered out of curiosity. How are teeth numbered?
What are teeth numbers and names? What is the tooth number chart?
If you are looking to understand the tooth numbering chart, it might be interesting for you to know that there are also three different systems.
- Universal Numbering System
- Palmer Notation Numbering System
- FDI numbering system
You may have also researched phrases like what is a tooth number chart and is an adult tooth chart the tooth chart with numbers? What are the teeth numbers and names that are on the teeth numbering chart? How does the tooth numbering system work? Does every dentist use a tooth numbering chart? What are the anterior teeth and posterior teeth? Do you need to know about both a baby teeth eruption chart and permanent teeth eruption chart?
However, before continuing, let’s hear from some of the experts of orthodontic medicine.
Teeth serve multiple functions beyond chewing, including shaping the way words are formed, breathing, maintaining your airway, and serving as a foundation for the shape of the face (Zimmerman et al., 2022).
Certain teeth have specific roles in chewing (Zimmerman et al., 2022).
It is necessary for the size and positioning of the jaw for the teeth to be in the right places. These are critical in developing a proper bite (occlusion) and subsequent chewing (Zimmerman et al., 2022).
How Are Teeth Numbered?
The top teeth are given numbers 1-16, and are identified as the maxillary arch on the teeth number chart. The numbering of the top teeth starts on the right-hand side as the dentist is looking at your teeth. This means that the back right wisdom tooth, or the 3rd molar, would be identified as tooth number one.
The bottom teeth are given numbers 17-32, and are identified as the mandibular arch. The numbering of the mandibular arch begins on the back left wisdom tooth, or 3rd molar. It is given the lowest number 17.
What Are Teeth Numbers and Names?
The tooth numbering system is important to dentists, orthodontists, and patients because dentists use the standardized chart to identify which teeth need to be treated. Also, it means they can communicate to other medical professionals or personnel accurately which teeth need treatment.
Furthermore, patients, parents, and caregivers can use the chart to keep track of their dental health or that of their children. The chart is also used to educate children about taking care of their teeth.
The following is a sample of how teeth are numbered and named.
Upper Right Quadrant
| Numbers | Teeth Names |
|---|---|
| 8 | Incisor (Central) |
| 7 | Incisor (Lateral) |
| 6 | Canine (Eye tooth / Cuspid) |
| 5 | Bicuspid (1st) |
| 4 | Bicuspid (2nd) |
| 3 | Molar (1st Molar) |
| 2 | Molar (2nd Molar) |
| 1 | Wisdom Tooth (3rd Molar) |
Upper Left Quadrant
| Numbers | Teeth Names |
|---|---|
| 9 | Incisor (Central) |
| 10 | Incisor (Lateral) |
| 11 | Canine (Eye tooth / Cuspid) |
| 12 | Bicuspid (1st) |
| 13 | Bicuspid (2nd) |
| 14 | Molar (1st Molar) |
| 15 | Molar (2nd Molar) |
| 16 | Wisdom Tooth (3rd Molar) |
Lower Right Quadrant
| Numbers | Teeth Names |
|---|---|
| 32 | Wisdom Tooth (3rd Molar) |
| 31 | Molar (2nd Molar) |
| 30 | Molar (1st Molar) |
| 29 | Bicuspid (2nd) |
| 28 | Bicuspid (1st) |
| 27 | Canine (Eye tooth / Cuspid) |
| 26 | Incisor (Lateral) |
| 25 | Incisor (Central) |
Lower Left Quadrant
| Numbers | Teeth Names |
|---|---|
| 17 | Wisdom Tooth (3rd Molar) |
| 18 | Molar (2nd Molar) |
| 19 | Molar (1st Molar) |
| 20 | Bicuspid (2nd) |
| 21 | Bicuspid (1st) |
| 22 | Canine (Eye tooth / Cuspid) |
| 23 | Incisor (Lateral) |
| 24 | Incisor (Central) |
What is the Tooth Number Chart?
The tooth numbering chart identifies and labels each tooth in the mouth with a corresponding number. It can help when it comes to dental hygiene such as brushing your teeth and identifying cavities.
It is also a helpful tool for anyone who wants to learn more about their teeth. If you understand the numbering system, it can help you keep track of any dental issues. Additionally, the tooth numbering chart allows your dentist or orthodontist to segment teeth in a useful way and can help you in understanding their location.
UNDERSTANDING THE TOOTH NUMBERING CHART
What are the different tooth numbering systems? In summary, the following are the main numbering systems. Speak with your dentist for more details on each.
- Universal Numbering System – this is what was described above, with teeth numbered from 1-32, starting with the farthest tooth on the back upper right hand side.
- Palmer Notation Numbering System – this system uses a set of 4 symbols to denote which quadrant the tooth is in, and then assigned a number to show where it sits in relation to the middle. Adult teeth are assigned numbers, while baby teeth are assigned letters.
- FDI numbering system – this system assigns 4 quadrants also, but they are numbered 1-4, going clockwise based on how the dentist views the teeth, so a patient’s right is the chart’s left. Then the teeth are numbered 1-8, from the center incisor back to the wisdom tooth. Children’s teeth are in 4 quadrants numbered 5-8. The teeth are numbered 1-5 from the center incisor to the premolars.
You may be curious about when your child’s teeth will develop. There are two charts for this – one for the baby teeth and one for the adult teeth.
Baby teeth eruption chart
Teething generally starts around the age of 6 to 12 months, although the timing varies for some babies. In some babies, a tooth can appear as early as 4 months or later than 12 months. Some babies are even born with teeth!
Usually, the two front teeth (the central incisors) on either the top or bottom row erupt first. Often these are then followed by the opposite front teeth, then the first molars, followed by the canines.
Teeth erupt often in pairs, with one on each side of the upper and lower jaw, until all teeth have arrived. Usually by the time a child is 2 1/2 to 3 years old, all of the primary teeth will have erupted.
The following table below shows an approximate age range for when each tooth will surface:
| Top teeth | When the tooth comes in |
|---|---|
| Central incisor | 8 to 12 months |
| Lateral incisor | 9 to 13 months |
| First molar | 13 to 19 months |
| Canine | 16 to 22 months |
| Second molar | 25 to 33 months |
| Bottom teeth | When the tooth comes in |
|---|---|
| Central incisor | 6 to 10 months |
| Lateral incisor | 10 to 16 months |
| First molar | 14 to 18 months |
| Canine | 17 to 23 months |
| Second molar | 23 to 31 months |
Permanent teeth eruption chart
Permanent teeth take longer to emerge, unlike the baby teeth which erupt sooner. Unlike the primary teeth, the first molar usually erupts first. The eruption of a child’s first premolar (1 tooth) usually occurs between 18 months and three years. Your child’s second molars (4 teeth) usually start to emerge between ages 5 and 6. The eruption of second premolars (2 teeth) usually starts around age seven years or older.
It can take up to about 21 years of age for all of the permanent teeth to erupt.
Which Teeth Are the Anterior Teeth and Which teeth Are the Posterior Teeth?
The anterior teeth or the front teeth are numbered in the following way:
Top: 6-11
Bottom: 22-27
The posterior teeth are the back teeth and have four quadrants. They are made up of the following teeth:
Top: 1-5 and 12-16
Bottom: 17-21 and 28-32
If you need a pediatric dentist, you can schedule an appointment with Ivanov Orthodontics and get a free initial consultation. We can’t wait to meet you!
Reference:
Zimmerman B, Shumway KR, Jenzer AC. Physiology, Tooth. [Updated 2022 Apr 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538475/#
