Universal Numbering System

Universal numbering system. This is a "doctor's view", so tooth number 1, the rear upper tooth on the patient's right, appears on the left.

The Universal Numbering System is a dental notation system for associating information to a specific tooth,^[1] and is commonly used in the United States.

The designations "left" and "right" on the chart correspond to the patient's left and right, respectively.

Universal numbering system

Although it is named the "universal numbering system", it is also called the "American system" as it is commonly used in the United States.^[2] The uppercase letters A through T are used for primary teeth and the numbers 1 - 32 are used for permanent teeth. The tooth designated "1" is the maxillary right third molar ("wisdom tooth") and the count continues along the upper teeth to the left side. Then the count begins at the mandibular left third molar, designated number 17, and continues along the bottom teeth to the right side. Each tooth has a unique number or letter, allowing for easier use on keyboards.

Universal numbering system table

Permanent Dentition
upper right								upper left
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
32	31	30	29	28	27	26	25	24	23	22	21	20	19	18	17
lower right								lower left
Primary Dentition
upper right								upper left
			A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J
			T	S	R	Q	P	O	N	M	L	K
lower right								lower left
Alternate system for Primary Dentition
upper right								upper left
			1d	2d	3d	4d	5d	6d	7d	8d	9d	10d
			20d	19d	18d	17d	16d	15d	14d	13d	12d	11d
lower right								lower left

Tooth Numbering

Permanent teeth and their assigned numbers (Universal Tooth Numbering System)

     upper right
1. 3rd Molar (wisdom tooth)
2. 2nd Molar (12-yr molar)
3. 1st Molar (6-yr molar)
4. 2nd Bicuspid (2nd premolar)
5. 1st Bicuspid (1st premolar)
6. Cuspid (canine/eye tooth)
7. Lateral incisor
8. Central incisor

     upper left
9. Central incisor
10. Lateral incisor
11. Cuspid (canine/eye tooth)
12. 1st Bicuspid (1st premolar)
13. 2nd Bicuspid (2nd premolar)
14. 1st Molar (6-yr molar)
15. 2nd Molar (12-yr molar)
16. 3rd Molar (wisdom tooth)

     lower left
17. 3rd Molar (wisdom tooth)
18. 2nd Molar (12-yr molar)
19. 1st Molar (6-yr molar)
20. 2nd Bicuspid (2nd premolar)
21. 1st Bicuspid (1st premolar)
22. Cuspid (canine/eye tooth)
23. Lateral incisor
24. Central incisor

     lower right
25. Central incisor
26. Lateral incisor
27. Cuspid (canine/eye tooth)
28. 1st Bicuspid (1st premolar)
29. 2nd Bicuspid (2nd premolar)
30. 1st Molar (6-yr molar)
31. 2nd Molar (12-yr molar)
32. 3rd Molar (wisdom tooth)

References

1. "Tooth Numbering Systems". Oral Health Topics A–Z. American Dental Association. Archived from the original on November 2, 2006. Retrieved 2014-05-26. (www.archive.org link)
2. "Histology: A Text and Atlas by Michael H. Ross • Wojciech Pawlina".

See also

• Dental notation
• FDI World Dental Federation notation
• Palmer Notation Method

External links

• Dr. Bunn page on dental notations.