Braces Explained: Tooth Naming & Numbering

In this video I will be reviewing the names of teeth and the different numbering systems that we use to describe them in dentistry and orthodontics.

In dentistry there are three primary numbering systems: Universal, Palmer, and FDI. The Universal system is used in most of dentistry and is a numbering system that begins at #1 and goes to #32 in a linear fashion. The patient’s upper right 3rd molar (furthest back tooth on the top right) is #1 and as you move across the upper arch to the furthest back tooth on the upper left, we have #16. The front two teeth are #8 & #9. The bottom left 3rd molar is #17 and as we go across to the bottom right 3rd molar, we get to #32. The bottom two front teeth are #24 & #25. If you have any teeth extracted, the numbers don’t change!

The Palmer system is the numbering system most commonly used in orthodontics. We beginning numbering from the front teeth and work our ways back, describing the teeth by quadrant. So your top right front tooth is your “upper right 1” or UR1. And your lower left 1st molar would be your “lower left 6” or LL6, for short.

The FDI system uses a very similar numbering style as the Palmer system but instead of saying “upper right” they use the #1, instead of “upper left” they use the #2, “lower left” is #3, and “lower right” is #4. So your upper right 1, or UR1 as they say in the Palmer system, would be 11, and your UL1 would be 21.

I know this is a bit confusing but hopefully it can clarify some of the confusion you hear when you are at your orthodontist and year teeth number being thrown around! As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me via the comments below!

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See you next time!

Greg Asatrian, D.D.S., M.S.
http://asatrianortho.com/
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This video may contain orthodontic appliances, devices and/or procedural content. The content seen in this video is provided only for education purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For personalized advice, please be sure to visit a professional orthodontist near you!