How Are Teeth Numbered?

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How are my teeth numbered?

There is a universal numbering system used by dentist to help them correctly identify teeth so that they can keep an accurate record of the health of your teeth in your patient record.

The numbering system works like this.

For adults, the mouth is divided into quadrants numbered from 1 to 4 clockwise starting from the upper-left from the dentist’s view. (The patient’s right corresponds to the tooth chart’s left side). The adult teeth are numbered from 1 to 8, going from the central incisor, canines, premolars to the third molar.

This diagram is a good picture to explain the way the numbering of your teeth works.
Teeth Numbering Diagram courtesy of DentalCare.com

Why are my teeth numbered?

Your teeth are numbered so that there can never be any mix-up about which tooth your patient record is describing, should you get treatment from anyone other than your regular dentist.

Thank you Mr Bean for this expert explanation of why having numbering for your teeth is so valuable for your dentist. Mr Bean – At the Dentist.

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