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DENTAL NUMBERING SYSTEMS

There are three different numbering systems used to identify the teeth in dentistry.

1.The Universal Numbering System has been adopted by the ADA and is in use by most

general dentists today.

Tooth number 1 is the tooth farthest back on the right side of your mouth in the upper (max-

illary) jaw. Numbering continues along your upper teeth toward the front and across to the

tooth farthest back on the top left side number 16.The numbers continue by dropping down

to the lower (mandibular) jaw. Number 17 is the tooth farthest back on the left side of your

mouth on the bottom. Numbering continues again toward the front and across to the tooth

farthest back on the bottom right side of you mouth number 32. In this system, the teeth that

should be there are numbered. If you are missing your third molars, your first number will be 2

instead of 1, acknowledging the missing tooth. If youve had teeth removed or teeth missing,the missing teeth will be numbered as well.

2.The Palmer Notation Numbering System is used by some orthodontists, pedodontists,

and oral surgeons. Originally called the Zsigmondy system after an Austrian dentist of that

name who developed the idea in 1861.

The mouth is divided into four sections called quadrants.The numbers 1 through 8 and a

unique symbol is used to identify the teeth in each quadrant.The numbering runs from the

center of the mouth to the back. In the upper right quadrant tooth, number 1 is the incisor.

The numbers continue to the right and back to tooth number 8, which is the third molar.The

numbers sit inside an L-shaped symbol used to identify the quadrant.The L is right side up for

3.The Palmer Notation Numbering System is used by some orthodontists, pedodontists,

and oral surgeons. Originally called the Zsigmondy system after an Austrian dentist of that

name who developed the idea in 1861.

The mouth is

DENTAL NUMBERING SYSTEMS

Primary (Deciduous) Teeth

There are three different numbering systems used to identify the primary teeth in dentistry.

The Primary Universal Numbering System was adopted by the ADA in 1968 and is in

use by most general and pedodontists dentists today.Tooth letter A is the farthest back on the

right side of the mouth in the upper (maxillary) jaw.The letters continue along the upper teeth

toward the front and across to the tooth farthest back on the top left side letter J.The letters

continue by dropping down to the lower (mandibular) jaw. Letter K is the tooth farthest back

on the left side of the mouth on the bottom. Letters continue again toward the front and

across to the tooth farthest back on the bottom right side of the mouth letter T. Some dentist

use the alternative version which is they number the teeth from 1 20 in the same procedure

stated above but they place a lower case d (deciduous) right after to the number.

The Primary Palmer Notation Numbering System is used by some orthodontist,

pedodontists, and oral surgeons.The mouth is divided into four sections called quadrants.The

letters A through E and a unique symbol is used to identify the teeth in each quadrant.The

letters run from the center of the mouth to the back. In the upper right quadrant tooth A is

the incisor.The letters continue to the right and back to tooth E which is the second molar.

The letters sit inside an L shaped symbol used to identify the quadrants.The L is right side

up for the teeth in the upper left quadrant.The teeth in the upper right use a backwards L for

the bottom quadrants, the L is upside down following the same pattern from the uppers.

The Primary Federation Dentaire Internationale Numbering System (FDI).

Internationally the two digit system is widely used in Canada and European countries. In

1996, the ADA adopted this system. Every branch of dentistry uses this system.

The mouth is divided into four sections called a quadrant. Each quadrant is assigned a number.

The maxillary right quadrant is assigned the number 5, the maxillary left quadrant is assigned

the number 6, the mandibular left quadrant is assigned the number 7, and the mandibular right

quadrant is assigned the number 8.The teeth with each quadrant are assigned a number

from 1 5 with 1 being the second molar and 5 being the central incisor.

Justi Educational Department

Dental Numbering Systems Prim - Rev. 9/03

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DENTAL NUMBERING SYSTEMSILLUSTRATED

Justi Educational Department

Dental Numbering Systems Prim - Rev. 9/03

T

S

R

QP

K

L

M

ON

Lower

(mandibular)

Upper

(maxillary)

LEFT

RIGHT

E

D

C

B

A

81

82

83

84

85

71E

D

C

B

A

72

73

74

75

AE51

BD52

CC

53D

B54 E

A

55

J 61E

I62

D

H

63C

G

64BF

65

A

FDI

PALMER

UNIVERSA

L

(R) Second

Molar

(R) First

Molar

(R) Cuspid

(R) LateralIncisor

(R) CentralIncisor

(L) Second

Molar

(L) FirstMolar

(L) CentralIncisor

(L) LateralIncisor

(L) Cuspid

(R) SecondMolar

(L) SecondMolar

(R) FirstMolar

(L) FirstMolar

(R) Cuspid (L) Cuspid

(R) LateralIncisor

(L) LateralIncisor

(R) Central

Incisor

(L) Central

Incisor

1d

2d

3d

4d

5d 6d

7d

8d

9d

10d

20d

19d

18d17d

16d 15d14d

13d

12d

11d

UNIVERSA

L

ALTERNATIVE

FDI

PALMER

U

NIVERSAL

U

NIVERSAL

ALTERNATIVE

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