Tooth Chart: Universal Tooth Numbering Charts

Effective communication among dental professionals is crucial for accurate dental records, treatment plans, and collaboration. By understanding the dental naming system and teeth numbering, you can gain insights into the treatments your dentist may provide. Tooth Charts serves as a standardized language that dentists worldwide use to ensure clear understanding and effective communication about teeth. Dental patients also should be familiar with the tooth number chart to understand their treatment plan and oral health.

Use the interactive tooth number chart below to look up any tooth's number across all three systems — Universal (used in the US and Canada), FDI (international standard), and Palmer notation (common in the UK and Australia). Click any tooth to see its number instantly.

Upper jaw — patient's right  |  patient's left Lower jaw — patient's right  |  patient's left Select any tooth to see its Universal, FDI and Palmer numbers Dashed border = wisdom tooth  ·  Chart shown from dentist's view (patient's right appears on left)

Understand the Tooth Numbers

The teeth numbering chart is a simple scientific system used in dental offices. It helps identify teeth and communicate dental information. There are different systems like the Universal, Palmer, and FDI notation. Understanding tooth numbers and names is important for identifying dental issues.

The Three Systems: A Quick Overview

 

System	Used in	Permanent teeth	Primary teeth
Universal (ADA)	USA, Canada	Numbers 1–32	Letters A–T
FDI / ISO 3950	International (Europe, Asia, Latin America, Middle East)	Two-digit codes 11–48	Two-digit codes 51–85
Palmer notation	UK, Australia, orthodontics	UR/UL/LR/LL + number 1–8	UR/UL/LR/LL + letter A–E

Tooth Names on Tooth Chart

Teeth naming system not only provides an easy reference point for dental professionals but also helps patients understand their oral health better. It's essential to familiarize oneself with these tooth names to follow dental discussions efficiently.

Just like the numbering system, each tooth also has a designated name. Starting from the center, the two front teeth are named "Central Incisors."

Adjacent to them, on both sides, are the "Lateral Incisors."

Following the incisors are the "Canines," also known as the cuspids.

After the Canines, come the "First Premolars," then the "Second Premolars."

The next teeth are the "First Molars," "Second Molars," and finally the "Third Molars," which are commonly referred to as the wisdom teeth.

Differences between Tooth Number Charts

Universal Tooth Numbering System

The Universal Tooth Numbering System is the most commonly used system in the United States. This system assigns a unique number to each tooth in a clockwise sequence. Starting with the upper right third molar as number 1 and ending with the lower right third molar as number 32, it ensures easy identification of teeth during dental treatments. It's crucial for both patients and professionals to understand this system to enhance communication and clarity in dental procedures.

Palmer Notation System

The Palmer Notation System is used in Europe and Asia. It assigns a number to each tooth, with the first digit representing the quadrant of the mouth (1 for upper right, 2 for upper left, 3 for lower left, and 4 for lower right) and the second digit indicating the location within that quadrant.

For example, the upper left canine would be labeled as 23. This system is not as commonly used as the Universal system, but it's important for dental professionals to be familiar with both systems for effective communication.

FDI Notation System

The FDI Notation System (also known as the ISO system) is widely used in Europe and other parts of the world. It assigns a number to each tooth, with the first digit representing the quadrant of the mouth (1 for upper right, 2 for upper left, 3 for lower left, and 4 for lower right) and the second digit indicating the specific tooth within that quadrant.

For example, the upper left canine would be labeled as 23 in this system as well. This system is important for global communication in dentistry.

Which tooth chart is used where ?

ADA TOOTH NUMBERING SYSTEM: The "Universal Teeth Numbering System," also known as the "American system," is widely used in the United States. It assigns a unique number to each tooth, making it easier for dentists to communicate and identify specific teeth during dental procedures.

FDI TOOTH NUMBER SYSTEM: Canadian dentists utilize the FDI Tooth Number System, which is also recognized and used by European dentists. This system employs a two-digit numbering chart to designate each tooth, facilitating international dental communication and collaboration.

PALMER METHOD: The Palmer Method is specifically designed for orthodontists and oral surgeons. It utilizes a different tooth numbering system that involves dividing the mouth into four quadrants and labeling teeth with a combination of letters and numbers. This method aids in precise tooth identification and treatment planning for orthodontic and surgical procedures.

Complete Conversion Table: All 32 Adult Teeth

Tooth name	Universal	FDI	Palmer
Upper right third molar (wisdom)	1	18	UR8
Upper right second molar	2	17	UR7
Upper right first molar	3	16	UR6
Upper right second premolar	4	15	UR5
Upper right first premolar	5	14	UR4
Upper right canine	6	13	UR3
Upper right lateral incisor	7	12	UR2
Upper right central incisor	8	11	UR1
Upper left central incisor	9	21	UL1
Upper left lateral incisor	10	22	UL2
Upper left canine	11	23	UL3
Upper left first premolar	12	24	UL4
Upper left second premolar	13	25	UL5
Upper left first molar	14	26	UL6
Upper left second molar	15	27	UL7
Upper left third molar (wisdom)	16	28	UL8
Lower left third molar (wisdom)	17	38	LL8
Lower left second molar	18	37	LL7
Lower left first molar	19	36	LL6
Lower left second premolar	20	35	LL5
Lower left first premolar	21	34	LL4
Lower left canine	22	33	LL3
Lower left lateral incisor	23	32	LL2
Lower left central incisor	24	31	LL1
Lower right central incisor	25	41	LR1
Lower right lateral incisor	26	42	LR2
Lower right canine	27	43	LR3
Lower right first premolar	28	44	LR4
Lower right second premolar	29	45	LR5
Lower right first molar	30	46	LR6
Lower right second molar	31	47	LR7
Lower right third molar (wisdom)	32	48	LR8

Primary (Baby) Teeth Numbering

Children have 20 primary teeth — five in each quadrant. They erupt between approximately 6 months and 3 years of age and are gradually replaced by permanent teeth between ages 6 and 12 (wisdom teeth excluded).

Tooth name	Universal	FDI	Palmer
Upper right 2nd primary molar	A	55	URA
Upper right 1st primary molar	B	54	URB
Upper right primary canine	C	53	URC
Upper right lateral incisor	D	52	URD
Upper right central incisor	E	51	URE
Upper left central incisor	F	61	ULE
Upper left lateral incisor	G	62	ULD
Upper left primary canine	H	63	ULC
Upper left 1st primary molar	I	64	ULB
Upper left 2nd primary molar	J	65	ULA
Lower left 2nd primary molar	K	75	LLA
Lower left 1st primary molar	L	74	LLB
Lower left primary canine	M	73	LLC
Lower left lateral incisor	N	72	LLD
Lower left central incisor	O	71	LLE
Lower right central incisor	P	81	LRE
Lower right lateral incisor	Q	82	LRD
Lower right primary canine	R	83	LRC
Lower right 1st primary molar	S	84	LRB
Lower right 2nd primary molar	T	85	LRA

Which System Will You Encounter? A Country Guide

Country / Region	Standard system
United States	Universal (ADA)
Canada	Universal (ADA) — FDI also widely used
United Kingdom	Palmer notation (NHS standard)
Ireland	Palmer notation
Australia	Palmer notation
Germany	FDI / ISO 3950
France	FDI / ISO 3950
Turkey	FDI / ISO 3950
Spain	FDI / ISO 3950
Italy	FDI / ISO 3950
Middle East	FDI / ISO 3950
Latin America	FDI / ISO 3950
Asia	FDI / ISO 3950

What this means if you are receiving dental treatment abroad: Your UK dentist uses UR6 for your upper right first molar. Your Turkish dentist uses 16. Your US dentist uses tooth 3. Always confirm which system is being used when sharing dental records across countries, and ask for a plain-language description alongside any tooth number — "upper right first molar" is unambiguous in any language.

Dental Treatment Abroad: Understanding Tooth Charts

If you are contemplating receiving dental treatment abroad, rest assured that the tooth chart system ensures universal understanding among dental professionals worldwide. The More Clinics' Dentists are well-equipped and educated to understand all tooth charts, including Universal, Palmer, and FDI notation systems. This means they can efficiently identify the teeth by their numbers and names, regardless of the system used in your home country. Contact us to learn more!

FAQ Schema:

Q: How are teeth numbered in the Universal system?
A: In the Universal Numbering System (used in the US and Canada), permanent teeth are numbered 1 to 32. Numbering begins at the upper right wisdom tooth (#1), crosses the upper arch to the upper left wisdom tooth (#16), then continues from the lower left wisdom tooth (#17) to the lower right wisdom tooth (#32). Primary (baby) teeth use letters A through T in the same path.

Q: What is the difference between Universal, FDI and Palmer tooth numbering?
A: The Universal system (ADA) numbers teeth 1–32 sequentially and is used in the US and Canada. The FDI system uses two-digit codes where the first digit indicates the quadrant (1–4) and the second indicates the tooth position from the midline (1–8) — it is the international standard used in Europe, Turkey, Asia, and Latin America.

Palmer notation uses a quadrant prefix (UR, UL, LR, LL) with a number 1–8 and is the standard in the UK and Australia. The same tooth — the upper right first molar — is tooth 3 in Universal, tooth 16 in FDI, and UR6 in Palmer.

Q: What tooth number is the upper right first molar?
A: The upper right first molar is tooth 3 in the Universal system, tooth 16 in the FDI system, and UR6 in Palmer notation. It is one of the most commonly treated teeth in restorative dentistry.

Q: How do I read a dental chart if I am having treatment abroad?
A: If your dental records are from the US (Universal system), your tooth numbers will be 1–32. If travelling to Turkey or Europe for dental treatment, your provider will use the FDI two-digit system. Use the conversion table on this page to cross-reference your tooth numbers, and always ask your treating dentist for a plain-language description of each tooth alongside the clinical code.

 

Q: What are wisdom teeth numbers?
A: Wisdom teeth (third molars) are numbered as follows: Universal — 1 (upper right), 16 (upper left), 17 (lower left), 32 (lower right). FDI — 18 (upper right), 28 (upper left), 38 (lower left), 48 (lower right). Palmer — UR8, UL8, LL8, LR8. Not everyone develops all four wisdom teeth, and they are frequently extracted due to impaction or positioning issues.