Dental notation

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Comparison of alphanumeric notation, Palmer notation, ISO 3950 (FDI) notation, Universal Numbering System, and paleoanthropology notation Comparison of dental notations.svg
Comparison of alphanumeric notation, Palmer notation, ISO 3950 (FDI) notation, Universal Numbering System, and paleoanthropology notation

Dental professionals, in writing or speech, use several different dental notation systems for associating information with a specific tooth. The three most common systems are the FDI World Dental Federation notation (ISO 3950), the Universal Numbering System, and the Palmer notation. The FDI notation is used worldwide, and the Universal is used widely in the United States. The FDI notation can be easily adapted to computerized charting.

Contents

Another system is used by paleoanthropologists.

History

A committee of the American Dental Association (ADA) recommended the use of the Palmer notation method in 1947.

Since Palmer notation method required the use of symbols, its use was difficult on keyboards. As a result, the association officially supported the Universal system in 1968. The World Health Organization and the Fédération Dentaire Internationale officially uses the two-digit numbering system of the FDI system.

However, in 1996, the ADA adopted the ISO System as an alternative to the Universal System.

FDI World Dental Federation (ISO) notation

The FDI World Dental Federation notation ("FDI notation" or "ISO 3950" [1] ) is widely used by dental professionals internationally to identify and describe a specific tooth.

The FDI notation uses a two-digit numbering system in which the first digit represents a tooth's quadrant and the second digit represents the number of the tooth from the midline of the face. For permanent teeth, the patient's upper right teeth begin with the number "1", the upper left teeth begin with the number "2", the lower left with "3", and the lower right with "4". For primary teeth, the sequence of numbers similarly is 5, 6, 7, and 8 for the teeth in the upper right, upper left, lower left, and lower right respectively. When speaking about a certain tooth such as the permanent maxillary central incisor, the notation is pronounced “one, one”.[ citation needed ]

Beware of mixing up the teeth in written form such as 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 between the Universal and ISO systems.[ citation needed ]

For example: retention of a primary molar tooth in the otherwise regular intact lower right jaw, position 5, would be noted as: 41, 42, 43, 44, 85, 46, 47, 48.

                    Permanent dentition patient's upper right – 1           upper left – 2     18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 | 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28   R --------------------------------------------------- L     48 47 46 45 44 43 42 41 | 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38          lower right – 4             lower left – 3                       Primary dentition         upper right – 5             upper left – 6              55 54 53 52 51 | 61 62 63 64 65            R --------------------------------- L              85 84 83 82 81 | 71 72 73 74 75          lower right – 8             lower left – 7   I – incisorC – canineP – premolarM – molar

Palmer notation

Palmer notation is a system used by dentists to associate information with a specific tooth. It was originally termed the "Zsigmondy system" after the Hungarian dentist Adolf Zsigmondy who developed the idea in 1861, using a Zsigmondy cross to record quadrants of tooth positions. [2]

Permanent teeth (adult) were numbered 1 to 8, and the child primary dentition (also called deciduous, milk or baby teeth) were depicted with a quadrant grid using Roman numerals I, II, III, IV, V to number the teeth from the midline distally. Palmer changed this to A, B, C, D, E.[ citation needed ]

The Palmer notation consists of a symbol (┘└ ┐┌) designating the quadrant of the tooth and a number indicating the position from the midline. Adult teeth are numbered 1 to 8, with primary teeth indicated by a letter A to E. Hence the left and right maxillary central incisor would have the same number, "1", but the right one would have the symbol, "┘", underneath it, while the left one would have, "└".[ citation needed ]

Although supposedly superseded by the FDI World Dental Federation notation, it overwhelmingly continues to be the preferred method used by dental students and practitioners in the United Kingdom. [3]

                    Permanent Dentition         upper right – x┘           upper left – └x             8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8    R --------------------------------------------------- L             8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8         lower right – x┐            lower left – ┌x                       Primary Dentition         upper right – x┘            upper left – └x                  E D C B A | A B C D E            R --------------------------------- L                  E D C B A | A B C D E          lower right – x┐            lower left – ┌x  I – IncisorC – CanineP – premolarM – molar

Universal Numbering System

Despite its name, the Universal Numbering System is commonly used only in the United States. It is also called the "American system". [4]

The uppercase letters A through T are used for primary teeth and the numbers 1 – 32 are used for permanent teeth. The tooth designated "1" is the maxillary right third molar ("wisdom tooth") and the count continues along the upper teeth to the left side. Then the count begins at the mandibular left third molar, designated number 17, and continues along the bottom teeth to the right side. Each tooth has a unique number or letter, allowing for easier use on keyboards.

Universal Numbering System table
Permanent dentition
upper rightupper left
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17
lower rightlower left
Primary dentition
upper rightupper left
ABCDEFGHIJ
TSRQPONMLK
lower rightlower left
Alternate system for primary dentition
upper rightupper left
1d2d3d4d5d6d7d8d9d10d
20d19d18d17d16d15d14d13d12d11d
lower rightlower left

Alphanumeric notation

In alphanumeric notation (or "Letters and numbers system"), the four quadrants are designated as:

Within each quadrant, the teeth are numbered as in the Palmer notation: 1–8 for permanent and A-E for deciduous, both starting at the midline. For example, the permanent left maxillary first molar is designated UL6.

To prevent uncertainty or ambiguity, teeth may be indicated using more than one notation, particularly when referring for an extraction; this makes it less likely for the incorrect tooth to be needlessly extracted. For instance, a dentist may give an instruction to "extract the 24 (UL4)" for the upper left first premolar tooth.

Paleoanthropology dental notation

Paleoanthropologists use a system suitable to other primates as well. The upper teeth are denoted I1, I2, C, Pm3, Pm4, M1, M2, and M3. Left or right has to be specified. The lower teeth are I1, I2, C, Pm3, Pm4, M1, M2, and M3. The reason the premolars are labeled 3 and 4 is that in earlier primates there were two other premolars between them and the canines. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human tooth</span> Calcified whitish structure in humans mouths used to break down food

Human teeth function to mechanically break down items of food by cutting and crushing them in preparation for swallowing and digesting. As such, they are considered part of the human digestive system. Humans have four types of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars, which each have a specific function. The incisors cut the food, the canines tear the food and the molars and premolars crush the food. The roots of teeth are embedded in the maxilla or the mandible and are covered by gums. Teeth are made of multiple tissues of varying density and hardness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wisdom tooth</span> Large tooth at the back of the human mouth

The third molar, commonly called wisdom tooth, is the most posterior of the three molars in each quadrant of the human dentition. The age at which wisdom teeth come through (erupt) is variable, but this generally occurs between late teens and early twenties. Most adults have four wisdom teeth, one in each of the four quadrants, but it is possible to have none, fewer, or more, in which case the extras are called supernumerary teeth. Wisdom teeth may become stuck (impacted) against other teeth if there is not enough space for them to come through normally. Impacted wisdom teeth are still sometimes removed for orthodontic treatment, believing that they move the other teeth and cause crowding, though this is not held anymore as true.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Premolar</span> Transitional teeth located between the canine and molar teeth

The premolars, also called premolar teeth, or bicuspids, are transitional teeth located between the canine and molar teeth. In humans, there are two premolars per quadrant in the permanent set of teeth, making eight premolars total in the mouth. They have at least two cusps. Premolars can be considered transitional teeth during chewing, or mastication. They have properties of both the canines, that lie anterior and molars that lie posterior, and so food can be transferred from the canines to the premolars and finally to the molars for grinding, instead of directly from the canines to the molars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxillary central incisor</span> Tooth

The maxillary central incisor is a human tooth in the front upper jaw, or maxilla, and is usually the most visible of all teeth in the mouth. It is located mesial to the maxillary lateral incisor. As with all incisors, their function is for shearing or cutting food during mastication (chewing). There is typically a single cusp on each tooth, called an incisal ridge or incisal edge. Formation of these teeth begins at 14 weeks in utero for the deciduous (baby) set and 3–4 months of age for the permanent set.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxillary lateral incisor</span> Tooth (one of a pair) in upper jaw adjacent to the maxillary central incisor

The maxillary lateral incisors are a pair of upper (maxillary) teeth that are located laterally from both maxillary central incisors of the mouth and medially from both maxillary canines. As with all incisors, their function is for shearing or cutting food during mastication, commonly known as chewing. There are generally no cusps on the teeth, but the rare condition known as talon cusps are most prevalent on the maxillary lateral incisors. The surface area of the tooth used in eating is called an incisal ridge or incisal edge. Though relatively the same, there are some minor differences between the deciduous (baby) maxillary lateral incisor and that of the permanent maxillary lateral incisor. The maxillary lateral incisors occlude in opposition to the mandibular lateral incisors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxillary canine</span>

In human dentistry, the maxillary canine is the tooth located laterally from both maxillary lateral incisors of the mouth but mesial from both maxillary first premolars. Both the maxillary and mandibular canines are called the "cornerstone" of the mouth because they are all located three teeth away from the midline, and separate the premolars from the incisors. The location of the canines reflects their dual function as they complement both the premolars and incisors during mastication, commonly known as chewing. Nonetheless, the most common action of the canines is tearing of food. The canines often erupt in the upper gums several millimeters above the gum line. The canine teeth are able to withstand the tremendous lateral pressure caused by chewing. There is a single cusp on canines, and they resemble the prehensile teeth found in carnivorous animals such as the extinct saber-toothed cat. Though relatively the same, there are some minor differences between the deciduous (baby) maxillary canine and that of the permanent maxillary canine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxillary first premolar</span> Human tooth

The maxillary first premolar is one of two teeth located in the upper jaw, laterally from both the maxillary canines of the mouth but mesial from both maxillary second premolars. The function of this premolar is similar to that of canines in regard to tearing being the principal action during mastication, commonly known as chewing. There are two cusps on maxillary first premolars, and the buccal cusp is sharp enough to resemble the prehensile teeth found in carnivorous animals. There are no deciduous maxillary premolars. Around 10-11 years of age, the primary molars are shed and the permanent premolars erupt in their place. It takes about 3 years for the adult premolar and its root to fully calcify. Due to its long buccal root with narrow root canal and short palatal root with wide root canal, the upper 1st premolar is very prone to fracture during exodontia, hence, it is sometimes referred to some dentists as the "King of Fracture". In the universal system of notation, the permanent maxillary premolars are designated by a number. The right permanent maxillary first premolar is known as "5", and the left one is known as "12". In the Palmer notation, a number is used in conjunction with a symbol designating in which quadrant the tooth is found. For this tooth, the left and right first premolars would have the same number, "4", but the right one would have the symbol, "┘", underneath it, while the left one would have, "└". The international notation has a different numbering system than the previous two, and the right permanent maxillary first premolar is known as "14", and the left one is known as "24".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxillary second premolar</span> Upper teeth on the sides of the mouth

The maxillary second premolar is one of two teeth located in the upper maxilar, laterally from both the maxillary first premolars of the mouth but mesial from both maxillary first molars. The function of this premolar is similar to that of first molars in regard to grinding being the principal action during mastication, commonly known as chewing. There are two cusps on maxillary second premolars, but both of them are less sharp than those of the maxillary first premolars. There are no deciduous (baby) maxillary premolars. Instead, the teeth that precede the permanent maxillary premolars are the deciduous maxillary molars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxillary first molar</span> Human tooth

The maxillary first molar is the human tooth located laterally from both the maxillary second premolars of the mouth but mesial from both maxillary second molars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxillary second molar</span>

The maxillary second molar is the tooth located distally from both the maxillary first molars of the mouth but mesial from both maxillary third molars. This is true only in permanent teeth. In deciduous (baby) teeth, the maxillary second molar is the last tooth in the mouth and does not have a third molar behind it. The function of this molar is similar to that of all molars in regard to grinding being the principal action during mastication, commonly known as chewing. There are usually four cusps on maxillary molars, two on the buccal and two palatal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandibular canine</span>

The mandibular canine is the tooth located distally from both mandibular lateral incisors of the mouth but mesially from both mandibular first premolars. Both the maxillary and mandibular canines are called the "cornerstone" of the mouth because they are all located three teeth away from the midline, and separate the premolars from the incisors. The location of the canines reflect their dual function as they complement both the premolars and incisors during mastication, commonly known as chewing. Nonetheless, the most common action of the canines is tearing of food. The canine teeth are able to withstand the tremendous lateral pressures from chewing. There is a single cusp on canines, and they resemble the prehensile teeth found in carnivorous animals. Though relatively the same, there are some minor differences between the deciduous (baby) mandibular canine and that of the permanent mandibular canine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandibular first premolar</span>

The mandibular first premolar is the tooth located laterally from both the mandibular canines of the mouth but mesial from both mandibular second premolars. The function of this premolar is similar to that of canines in regard to tearing being the principal action during mastication, commonly known as chewing. Mandibular first premolars have two cusps. The one large and sharp is located on the buccal side of the tooth. Since the lingual cusp is small and nonfunctional, the mandibular first premolar resembles a small canine. There are no deciduous (baby) mandibular premolars. Instead, the teeth that precede the permanent mandibular premolars are the deciduous mandibular molars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandibular second premolar</span>

The mandibular second premolar is the tooth located distally from both the mandibular first premolars of the mouth but mesial from both mandibular first molars. The function of this premolar is assist the mandibular first molar during mastication, commonly known as chewing. Mandibular second premolars have three cusps. There is one large cusp on the buccal side of the tooth. The lingual cusps are well developed and functional. Therefore, whereas the mandibular first premolar resembles a small canine, the mandibular second premolar is more alike to the first molar. There are no deciduous (baby) mandibular premolars. Instead, the teeth that precede the permanent mandibular premolars are the deciduous mandibular molars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandibular first molar</span>

The mandibular first molar or six-year molar is the tooth located distally from both the mandibular second premolars of the mouth but mesial from both mandibular second molars. It is located on the mandibular (lower) arch of the mouth, and generally opposes the maxillary (upper) first molars and the maxillary 2nd premolar in normal class I occlusion. The function of this molar is similar to that of all molars in regard to grinding being the principal action during mastication, commonly known as chewing. There are usually five well-developed cusps on mandibular first molars: two on the buccal, two lingual, and one distal. The shape of the developmental and supplementary grooves, on the occlusal surface, are described as being M-shaped. There are great differences between the deciduous (baby) mandibular molars and those of the permanent mandibular molars, even though their function are similar. The permanent mandibular molars are not considered to have any teeth that precede it. Despite being named molars, the deciduous molars are followed by permanent premolars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandibular second molar</span>

The mandibular second molar is the tooth located distally from both the mandibular first molars of the mouth but mesial from both mandibular third molars. This is true only in permanent teeth. The function of this molar is similar to that of all molars in regard to grinding being the principal action during mastication, commonly known as chewing. Though there is more variation between individuals than that of the first mandibular molar, there are usually four cusps on mandibular second molars: two on the buccal and two lingual. There are great differences between the deciduous (baby) mandibular molars and those of the permanent mandibular molars, even though their function is similar. The permanent mandibular molars are not considered to have any teeth that precede them. Despite being named molars, the deciduous molars are followed by permanent premolars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Numbering System</span> American dental notation system

The Universal Numbering System, sometimes called the "American System", is a dental notation system commonly used in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FDI World Dental Federation notation</span> Worlds most commonly used dental notation

FDI World Dental Federation notation is the world's most commonly used dental notation. It is designated by the International Organization for Standardization as standard ISO 3950 "Dentistry — Designation system for teeth and areas of the oral cavity".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palmer notation</span> Tooth numbering system

Palmer notation is a dental notation. Despite the adoption of the FDI World Dental Federation notation in most of the world and by the World Health Organization, the Palmer notation continued to be the overwhelmingly preferred method used by orthodontists, dental students and practitioners in the United Kingdom as of 1998.

Dental anatomy is a field of anatomy dedicated to the study of human tooth structures. The development, appearance, and classification of teeth fall within its purview. Tooth formation begins before birth, and the teeth's eventual morphology is dictated during this time. Dental anatomy is also a taxonomical science: it is concerned with the naming of teeth and the structures of which they are made, this information serving a practical purpose in dental treatment.

This is a list of definitions of commonly used terms of location and direction in dentistry. This set of terms provides orientation within the oral cavity, much as anatomical terms of location provide orientation throughout the body.

References

  1. ISO 3950:2016 Dentistry — Designation system for teeth and areas of the oral cavity
  2. Huszár G (1989). "[The role of the life and works of Adolf Zsigmondy and Ottó Zsigmondy in the history of dentistry][Article in Hungarian]". Fogorv Sz. 82 (12): 357–63. PMID   2689240.
  3. Blinkhorn A, Choi C, Paget H (1998). "An investigation into the use of the FDI tooth notation system by dental schools in the UK". European Journal of Dental Education. 2 (1): 39–41. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0579.1998.tb00034.x. PMID   9588962.
  4. "Histology: A Text and Atlas by Michael H. Ross • Wojciech Pawlina".
  5. Gentry Steele; Claud Bramblett (1988). The Anatomy and Biology of the Human Skeleton. pp. 75, 82. ISBN   9780890963265.