is generally accepted as the standard numbering method. Many orthodontists use the Palmer
system, which is diagrammed a bit later.
The following two teeth number diagrams show the
UNIVERSAL teeth NUMBERING SYSTEM
RIGHT AND LEFT RIGHT and LEFT side referrals are ALWAYS THE PATIENT'S RIGHT AND LEFT.
NUMBERS Teeth are numbered 1-16 from the UPPER RIGHT TO UPPER LEFT, and 17-32 from LOWER
LEFT TO LOWER RIGHT. Teeth #1, 16, 17, 32 are the WISDOM TEETH, and are often EXTRACTED.
As shown in the teeth numbers diagram below
PALMER teeth NUMBERING SYSTEM
The Palmer system is often used by orthodontists, and is numbered #1-#8, starting with the
central incisors and going back as the diagrams below indicate. The box corners are placed
by each number to dictate which quadrant of the mouth is being noted.Because the 32 teeth are only numbered 1-8, this can cause some confusion since 8 sets of 4
teeth all have the same number, unlike the universal system above where all teeth have
their own unique number.
Note that the 4 wisdom teeth are all #8, and are not shown in the teeth number diagrams
below since they are often extracted.
MIXED DENTITION
This refers to the stage during adolescence when a child has both primary and permanent
teeth. After the primary teeth are lost, permanent teeth erupt into their places. The
diagram below is of about a 5 year old, so still with primary teeth, but it shows which
permanent teeth come into their places.
