How to interpret a dental chart?
Kaitlin Kuhn
2025-08-09 05:39:56
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The mouth is divided into quadrants. These are called quadrants and we work around each quadrant in an anti-clockwise direction to you as you’re sat in the chair, but clockwise direction as we’re looking at you. The quadrant number is the first digit in the numbering system. Each tooth is given its own number. For adults, there are eight teeth within each quadrant. Each is numbered from 1-8 and this number describes the type of tooth. The numbers for each of the different types of teeth are: Incisors 1 and 2, Canines 3, Premolars 4 and 5, Molars 6, 7 and 8. What you hear as we’re going through and numbering your teeth is us identifying which quadrant we’re working in and which specific tooth we’re looking at. For example, when you hear us say “two-one” it means we’re in quadrant 2 and looking at your front incisor. “Four-seven” means we’re in quadrant 4 and looking at a molar. Using the FDI system allows the dental assistant to quickly understand where the dentist is looking without second-guessing or peering into your mouth at the same time to see where we are. The first few numbers you hear are the numbers of teeth you’re missing. We’ll say “One-eight, two-eight, three-five, not present,” and the assistant marks these off on the record. After identifying which are missing, we call out any teeth that have crowns or fillings, and any implants. You’re likely to hear a few easy to recognise words and phrases as we go through and make notes on chips, damage, holes and potential cavities.
Donnie Olson
2025-08-09 03:12:12
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Dentists have a chart that uses numbers to help them make notations of healthy and problem teeth. In the UK, we use the Palmer Notation Method. In other countries, such as the US, dentists use another system known as the Universal System, or in Canada where dentists use the ISO/FDI system. The image below shows the alternative Numbering Systems.
When identifying teeth and referring to specific areas of a tooth, it is necessary to utilize named surfaces and directions designated according to where it is located. The dentition is divided into quadrants: UR - Upper right quadrant: upper right first incisor to upper right wisdom tooth UL - Upper left quadrant: upper left first incisor to upper left wisdom tooth LL - Lower right quadrant: lower right first incisor to lower right wisdom tooth LR - Lower left quadrant: lower left first incisor to lower left wisdom tooth. The upper portions of your mouth are the first two quadrants, while the lower portions are the third and fourth ones. So, the top right of your mouth’s interior is quadrant one, while your top left is quadrant two. The bottom is a bit more confusing. Whereas the upper part numbers the right side first, it’s the opposite for the bottom. The bottom left is quadrant three, and the bottom right is quadrant four. From the dentist’s perspective, they look into your mouth up and down. It’s easiest to list the quadrants such that the section under quadrant two is quadrant three.
Yesenia Schuppe
2025-08-09 03:05:46
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The standard tooth numbering system is from 1 to 32. Tooth number 1 is the tooth farthest back on the right side of your mouth in the upper (maxillary) 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 your mouth (number 32).
Jordy Gutmann
2025-08-09 01:42:29
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With this guide, you can feel more confident and prepared ahead of your next important dental procedure. Now that we are familiar with the four types of teeth, we can easily pinpoint the location of each tooth in our mouths. A healthy human mouth will have symmetrically arranged teeth so that teeth on opposing sides of the mouth will be of the same type. How Are Teeth Numbered? Teeth 1-16 Our first 16 teeth are located at the top of the mouth. We start with Tooth #1, a molar on the back right side of our mouths known as the upper right quadrant. Dentists and dental hygienists will count through to Tooth #16, located in the upper left quadrant. Teeth 17-32 We continue counting our bottom teeth from Tooth #17 found in the lower left quadrant. Then, we work our way back to the lower right quadrant, ending at Tooth #32. Dr. Skeens can help you read your dental chart. Dr. Skeens and our dental team at Encinitas Family Dentistry would be happy to help you navigate your personal dental chart.
Otis Kunze
2025-08-09 01:29:48
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Dentists split the interior of your mouth into four sections or quadrants.
The upper portions of your mouth are the first two quadrants, while the lower portions are the third and fourth ones.
So, the top right of your mouth’s interior is quadrant one, while your top left is quadrant two.
The bottom left is quadrant three, and the bottom right is quadrant four.
The dentist is reading your quadrants like a clock starting from the dentist’s top-left and going clockwise through quadrants 2, 3, and 4.
Dentists have a chart that uses numbers to help them make notations of healthy and problem teeth.
The ISO/FDI system used in Canada uses a two-digit numbering system.
So the upper right teeth begin with the number “1”, the upper left teeth begin with the number “2”, the lower left teeth begin with the number “3”, and the lower right teeth begin with the number “4”.
The upper half of your mouth has lower numbers, these are teeth 11-17, and 21-27 on the dental chart.
Using this information, dentists can quickly notate which teeth have issues that need correction.
As an example, a chip in the second molar in quadrant four would show as tooth 47 on the chart.
Orlo Kovacek
2025-08-09 00:10:43
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: 28
The Names for Adult Teeth Starting at the tooth in the front and working backwards the tooth names are: Central. Lateral. Canine. 1st premolar. 2nd premolar. 1st molar. 2nd molar. 3rd molar. Very often in the UK the Palmer notation method is used, this was named after Dr Corydon Palmer a dentist from Ohio. It uses a simple system to represent the quadrant in the mouth and whether it is up, lower, left or right. So if a dentist wanted to talk about the permanent dentition 1st premolar on the right-hand side you would hear them talk about upper right 4, sometimes abbreviated to UR4. The International Standards Organisation uses a 2 digit system, the 1st digit indicates the quadrant as follows: upper right upper left lower left lower right. The 2nd number indicates which tooth, start counting from the front tooth and work backwards.
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