How do Dentists number your teeth?

Question

I am wondering how the dentist numbers your teeth....For example, when they say, "Pull 22 and 23" What teeth would they be pulling? I can't seem to find a chart of that numbering anywhere on the internet.....Any info would be very much appreciated....Thanks

Answer 1

Imagine you are looking into somebody's open mouth, then begin counting from your left to right, then down to the bottom teeth from right to left. Best illustration I know is at https://accounts.ameritas.com/group/pdf/toothdiagram.pdf

What you are looking for is a tooth numbering diagram. There are plenty on the internet- look for either a dental tooth numbering system, or a tooth numbering diagram. 22 and 23 are on the lower right, the cuspid and lateral incisor I think.

Answer 2

In the US the method used is as detailed above.
In Europe, Australia (and UK?), we use the FDI (Federation Dentaire International) where teeth are numbered from 1-8 from central incisor to 3rd molar in each quadrant, and the quadrant is put in front: 1 for UR, 2 for UL, 3 for LL, 4 for LR.
For example, tooth 2.2 would be upper left lateral incisor, 2.3 would be upper left canine. A period is used between the numbers.
For baby teeth the quadrants are numbered 5, 6, 7, 8.
e.g 8.5 is lower right 2nd baby molar.
There is no right or wrong method, just differences.

Answer 3

You count from right to left #1 is the wisdom tooth on the upper right, #16 wisdom tooth on upper left, however if those teeth are missing or not yet erupted, you should have 2 exposed molars which would be #2 the far back one on upper right, the go around. #17 is the lower left wisdom tooth (providing it is there). Baby teeth are different they are lettered, ABC, that gets complicated as they start loosing teeth & erupting permanent dentition which then they have letters & numbers in their mouth. Orthodontists do count differently. They count by quadrants. So if someone is having #22, 23 extracted then that would mean their lower left bicuspids (1rst & 2nd bis).

Answer 4

How Are Teeth Numbered

Answer 5

Luvlemons is mostly correct.
However, #22 is your lower left canine and #23 is your lower left lateral incisor (the tooth just beside the lower left middle tooth).

This is if you go by the most common numbering system in the US; the Univeral Numbering System for Permanent Teeth.

Answer 6

I'm a dentist.

There are three ways the dental profession has for numbering teeth. I don't know the names of these methods, however.

The first method (which I believe is called "universal") starts with your upper right wisdom tooth, #1, through to your upper left wisdom tooth, #16, down to your lower left wisdom tooth, #17, and through to your lower right wisdom tooth, #32. This is the method used by virtually all dental professionals in the U.S., with the exception of orthodontists.

The second method, commonly used by orthodontics, starts with your central incisors (both upper and lower), which are numbered "1". The incisors next to your centrals are numbered "2", your canines "3", your first premolars "4"...all the way to your wisdom teeth, which are numbered "8". So how do they specify upper left vs. lower left vs. upper right vs. lower right? They draw a cross and put the number (one through eight) in a given quadrant. For example, if an orthodontist wanted me to extract a patient's upper first premolars, they'd draw a cross with the number "4" in the upper left and upper right quadrants of the cross. Orthodontitsts use this method because typcially they deal with everything symmetrically on the right and left halves of your mouth, hence it's easier for them to use a numbering system that refers to the left and right halves the same way.

The last method, which I believe may be used in Europe, is almost exactly like the method used by orthodontists except it includes an additional number (1, 2, 3, or 4) to dictate which quadrant, i.e. upper left vs. lower left vs. etc. etc.

Answer 7

I think it depends on the dentist. I got my braces on today and they were saying to not put stuff on my number five molars. To me I would think 22 and 23 would be molars on the bottom, but I don't know if 22 is on one side and 23 on the other, or if it's one behind the other.

Answer 8

there are 3 systems for numbering used..in usa we use this numbering other countries use other system...we know it because it's a method of communication between dentists

Answer 9

Tooth Numbering
Starting at the upper right (in the USA)

1-upper right 3rd molar (wisdom tooth)
2-upper right 2nd molar
3-upper right 1st molar
4-upper right 2nd premolar (bicuspid)
5-upper right 1st premolar (bicuspid)
6-upper right canine (cuspid)
7-upper right lateral (2nd) incisor
8-upper right central (1st) incisor
9--upper left central (1st) incisor
10-upper left lateral (2nd) incisor
11-upper left canine (cuspid)
12-upper left 1st premolar (bicuspid)
13-upper left 2nd premolar (bicuspid)
14-upper left 1st molar
15-upper left 2nd molar
16-upper left 3rd molar (wisdom tooth)

17-lower left 3rd molar (wisdom tooth)
18-lower left 2nd molar
19-lower left 1st molar
20-lower left 2nd premolar (bicuspid)
21-lower left 1st premolar (bicuspid)
22-lower left canine (cuspid)
23-lower left lateral (2nd) incisor
24-lower left central (1st) incisor
25-lower right central (1st) incisor
26-lower right lateral (2nd) incisor
27-lower right canine (cuspid)
28-lower right 1st premolar (bicuspid)
29-lower right 2nd premolar (bicuspid)
30-lower right 1st molar
31-lower right 2nd molar
32-lower right 3rd molar (wisdom tooth)