What do those numbers mean anyway? They’re there on your toothbrush, in your dental floss, and even on your tooth chart with numbers—but what do they really mean? As it turns out, the numbers can tell you quite a bit about your dental health! For example, if you notice that one of your teeth looks longer than it should or that one of your baby teeth is missing, then you may have an orthodontic concern that needs to be addressed by a dentist. Read on to learn more about what different types of tooth numbering mean.
Types of Teeth Numbering Systems
There are various types of tooth numbering systems that dental professionals use. Some of these include Universal Numbering System (UNS), American Numbering System (ANS), and Palmer Notation System. In addition to these, there are some other types as well that can be used based on certain situations. Usually, a patient’s medical record will contain information related to teeth numbering system that was used in his/her case. This is important because it helps other dentists treating or giving opinions about your teeth understand which system is being used for notation purposes and how a particular tooth has been identified in those records. Also, if you have any doubts regarding what type of numbers were mentioned in your case, you can check out your record to confirm and clarify things for yourself.
Why do dentists number teeth?
In most cases, teeth numbers refer to a pattern that provides us with an easy way to memorize teeth positions. However, some dentists number their patients’ teeth for other reasons. For example, when you go into your local dentist’s office, they might take x-rays of your mouth and create a before photo – so they can refer back to it after treatment has been completed. There are also more practical reasons why we number our patients’ teeth. For example, if you were getting extensive work done on your mouth, we would be able to keep track of which tooth was which by looking at its number.
How to find your way around your mouth
Your teeth number from front to back. Upper teeth are on top, bottom teeth are below. Even numbers (the majority) have 2 incisors, one canine, 2 premolars and 2 molars per quadrant in your mouth for a total of 4 quadrants. Odd numbers have 1 incisor, 1 canine, 3 premolars and 3 molars per quadrant for a total of 5 quadrants. The right side of your mouth has tooth chart with numbers that end with odd numbers and left side ends with even. For example, if you’re looking at an upper right tooth it will be labeled #11 or #21 or #31 etc. If you’re looking at a lower right tooth it will be labeled #21 or #31 etc. The same is true for all other sides as well.
How to use your dental chart
Dental numbers can be found in three places: on a tooth chart with numbers. On a radiograph, or next to your name when a dentist writes out your chart. Any of these will show you which teeth are present and where they are located in relation to adjacent teeth. Knowing that information is crucial to understanding what might be going on inside your mouth. For example, if your chart shows you have an abscessed tooth at number 24 but that you’re missing tooth number 28, it’s easy to spot a gap between teeth 25 and 29—or fill in one of those missing teeth right away!
