CLINICALLY, THE TOOTH NUMBERING SYSTEM IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND, TO KNOW WHICH TOOTH TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT. FOR THE BUSINESS TEAM, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW TOOTH NUMBERS AS THEY RELATE TO IMPORTING X-RAYS, SCHEDULING PROCEDURES, BILLING, AND INSURANCE CLAIMS.
- Tooth #1 is the maxillary (upper) right third molar, also known as the upper right wisdom tooth
- From tooth #1, moving forward along the maxillary arch all the way across to the maxillary left third molar, which is tooth #16, also known as the upper left wisdom tooth.
- Tooth numbering then continues on by dropping down to the mandibular (lower) left third molar, tooth #17, known as the lower left wisdom tooth.
- It then proceeds all of the way around the mandibular arch until tooth #32, the mandibular third molar, or lower right wisdom tooth, has been reached.
Some patients will have missing teeth; Teeth that have been extracted, have not yet come in, or else did not form. In the case of missing teeth, the numbering is carried out as if these teeth did exist. For example:
- If a person is only missing their wisdom teeth, their teeth will be numbered 2 through 15 on the top and 18 through 31 bottom.
- If a person has had their lower right first molar extracted (tooth #30), the teeth on either side of this tooth space will still keep the numbers 29 and 31.
- Some people have all four of their second premolars (bicuspids) removed as part of their orthodontic treatment plan. Even though once they get their braces off no spaces will exist, when numbering their teeth, the person will still not have teeth assigned the numbers 4, 13, 20, and 29.
Incisors – #7-10, #23-26
Incisors are located in the center of the mouth. They have a broad chisel-like edge and a single root. (Blue arrows)
Canines – #6 #11 #22 #27
Canine teeth are also called cuspid or eyeteeth. They have one pointed cusp and a long single root. (Orange arrows)
Bicuspids – #4-5, #12-13, #20-21, #28-29
Bicuspids are found between the molar and canine teeth. They typically have two pointed cusps and have one to two roots. (Green arrows)
Molars – #1-3, #14-16, #17-19, #30-32
Molars are positioned furthest back. Lower molars have two roots, upper ones have three. (Purple arrows)
Anterior teeth [front teeth] – #6-11 and #22-27
Anterior teeth are closest to the front of the mouth. These are known as the incisors and the canines. (Blue and orange arrows)
Posterior teeth [back teeth] – #1-5, #12-16, #17-21, #28-32
Posterior teeth are located in the back of the mouth. They are known as the bicuspids and the molars. (Green and purple arrows)
