When visiting a dentist, you have probably heard them more than once say such phrases as, for example, “lower left five” or “16th tooth” or “2nd premolar.” Experienced patients know that this is the numbering of the teeth, which is necessary for the doctor to describe the condition of the oral cavity when filling out the card. There are several systems used in dental practice for this purpose.
What is tooth numbering and why is it used?
If your doctor tells you that there is a problem with one of them, you will most likely want to understand which one. Of course, he can show it to you using a mirror or otherwise explain its location. But entering information related to diagnosis and treatment into the patient’s record requires greater accuracy and a professional approach. The same can be said if a doctor orders an x-ray - the x-ray room worker must know which area needs to be examined. This is what tooth numbers are used for.
Normally, an adult has 32 of them (if there are wisdom teeth), and a child has 20. Each of them takes its place in the jaw, belonging to a specific type. Numbering implies that each has its own serial number, by which a specialist accurately determines its location.
There are various systems, most often used in dentistry, and each of them involves its own algorithm for generating a serial number.
Root canal treatment
The treatment plan for dental canals consists of several stages:
- First, access to the problem area is freed: using a special dental instrument, the filling or the area of the crown damaged by caries is removed.
- Then the contents of the pulp are removed, and the canals are cleaned mechanically using antiseptic drugs.
- After this, the root is prepared for filling. At this stage, the dentist can form the correct conical shape of the canal passage.
- Then the canals are carefully sealed. If baby teeth are treated, the dentist uses a special filling paste, which gradually dissolves as the root dissolves.
- After this, a filling is placed on the crown.
This treatment regimen is standard and does not depend on exactly how many canals there are in the diseased tooth. The main thing is that all dental canals are cleaned, treated with an antiseptic and carefully closed. If treated incorrectly, it may be necessary to remove the tooth and visit an oral surgeon.
Teeth can be single-channel, two-channel, three-channel and even eight-channel. If one of the ducts becomes inflamed, it is necessary to clean and seal not only it, but also all other canals, since the infection could penetrate into them.
Names of teeth
It is worth familiarizing yourself with them before starting to study numbering algorithms.
Each row of teeth is symmetrical, and it consists of left and right parts. There are several groups of teeth that differ in structure, function, and location.
For adults they are:
- Incisors. These are the front (central, medial) teeth, designed for biting food. They are flat and have sharp edges. There are 8 of them in total - 4 each in the bottom and top rows. In numbering they are often called ones and twos;
- Fangs. They follow the incisors. If you count from the first central incisor, then the canine will be the third from it - both to the right and to the left. For those who are not familiar with dentistry, the name of this type of teeth may seem funny. They wear it not in vain. These are strong teeth with a wide crown and sharp edges, having a conical shape. They are designed for biting off high-density food (for example, meat). Fangs have the longest roots. In total, a person has 4 fangs - 2 above and 2 below, and dentists call them triplets;
- Premolars. They follow immediately after the fangs and have a prismatic shape. On each side of the jaw - both upper and lower - there are 2 premolars, i.e. there are 8 in total. They are the 4th and 5th, and they are intended for chewing food;
- Molars. Their numbers are 6, 7, 8, if you count from the central incisor. Thus, the total number of them is 12 - 6 on each jaw (3 on each side). These are large chewing teeth with a wide surface. They are designed to literally grind food, being strong and powerful.
A child's dentition differs from an adult's in the number of its components. Babies have 5 of them on each side, i.e. 10 each on the upper and lower jaws. The last ones in each row are fives. But when their dentition begins to change, permanent molars are one of the first to appear.
The name of teeth used by dentists is one of the “beacons” by which they determine their location. But this is not enough for the most accurate description, and therefore an error-free diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, different numbering systems are used.
Haderup system
It is used in dental practice quite often, but doctors are divided on its convenience and the degree of risk of erroneous decoding. This algorithm involves designating teeth by a serial number with an index indicating their specific location.
Their numbers are formed as follows:
- Numbers 1-8 are used to indicate the number. The number 1 represents the central (front) incisor, and the number 8 represents the third molar. Accordingly, 2 – second front incisor, 3 – canine, 4 and 5 – premolars, 6-8 – molars;
- To indicate the location, the indices “+” and “-” are used, where the first is the upper jaw, and the second is the lower jaw;
- Considering that the report goes from the front to the molars, it is necessary to indicate the side - right or left. This is done through proper index placement. If the side is right, it is placed after the number, and if it is left, before it.
For example:
- 5+ is the upper second premolar on the right;
- -2 is the second lower front incisor on the left.
According to this system, children’s tooth numbers are indicated in a similar way, but a 0 is placed before the number and numbers from 1 to 5 are used.
For example:
- 02+ is the primary front incisor on the upper right;
- -01 is the primary front incisor on the lower left.
Square-digital system
Its other name is the Zsigmondy-Palmer system. It also provides for numbering using numbers 1-8, as in the Haderup system, but the location is indicated using the corner icon, in which the desired number is indicated. According to this algorithm, each jaw is divided into two segments, and the countdown, as in the previous case, begins with the central incisors. Those. 1 is the front incisor, and 8 is the third molar.
How to decipher the symbols?
- The angle directed downwards and to the left is the lower right jaw;
- The angle looking down and to the right is the lower left jaw;
- The angle depicted up and to the left is the upper right jaw;
- The angle directed upward and to the right is the upper left jaw.
For example:
- The number "5", located in the corner looking down and to the right, indicates the second premolar in the bottom row on the left;
- The number “2”, depicted in the corner directed to the left and upward, indicates the anterior second incisor on the right jaw from above.
In the case of designating baby teeth in children, the same algorithm is used, but they are designated by Roman numerals IV.
Two-digit system
Today it is increasingly used in dentistry, being one of the most convenient and modern. It involves dividing the jaws into four segments. In this regard, the algorithm is similar to the previous ones, but it differs in the designation of the segment - each of them has its own number:
- Upper right – 1;
- Upper left – 2;
- Bottom left – 3;
- Bottom right – 4.
The teeth themselves are numbered using numbers from 1 to 8. As in previous cases, 1 is the front incisor, 8 is the third molar.
The number consists of two digits:
1 – segment;
2 is its serial number.
For example:
- 36 – first molar on the left in the bottom row;
- 15 – second premolar on the right in the upper row;
- 43 – canine on the lower jaw on the right.
To designate baby teeth in children, the segments are designated by numbers 5-8:
- Upper right – 5;
- Upper left – 6;
- Bottom left – 7;
- Bottom right – 8.
The number of the teeth themselves is indicated by numbers 1-5.
For example:
- 62 – second front incisor on the left in the top row;
- 84 – first premolar on the right in the bottom row.
Alphanumeric system
It differs from others primarily in that it involves the use of letter designations. They correspond to the name of the teeth, and it is indicated in Latin letters. For clarification, a digital index is added to them in all designations except fangs.
In the case of adult dentition, capital letters are used:
- I1 – central first incisor (unit);
- I2 – central second incisor (two);
- C – fang (three);
- P1 – first premolar (quad);
- P2 – second premolar (five);
- M1 – first molar (six);
- M2 – second molar (seven);
- M3 – third molar (figure eight).
To designate children's milk teeth according to this system, Latin lowercase letters are used:
- i – incisors;
- c – fang;
- m – molars (4ths and 5ths).
Modern specialists today very rarely use the alphanumeric system, since it does not allow specifying the exact location - upper or lower jaw, side. Since dentists’ tooth numbers are designed to perform this function, such an algorithm is not informative for diagnosis and treatment.
Universal system
It is comfortable and light. This numbering method does not involve division into segments, the use of letters, or the use of several symbols. The principle is simple - each tooth has its own serial number, which is determined by its location:
- The count starts from the 3rd upper right molar. He, according to this system, has the number 1;
- Next, the markings proceed in order to the upper left 3rd molar, which is numbered 16;
- Number 17 is the lower left 3rd molar, and the numbering continues from there towards the 3rd lower right 3rd molar, which is numbered 32.
Capital Latin letters are used to designate baby teeth in children:
- AE – right upper dentition (from 5 to 1);
- FJ – left upper dentition (from 1 to 5);
- KO – bottom left row (from 5 to 1);
- PT – bottom right row (from 1 to 5).
Features of numbering of baby teeth
Unlike the molars that adults have, children have only 20 teeth, whereas in the first case there are 32. But at the age of 5-6 years they begin to be replaced by molars, which happens gradually, and this process is completed by about 13-14 years . Thus, during this period, a child, as a rule, has both one and the other at the same time. This may make them somewhat difficult to describe.
In this regard, not all numbering systems are convenient to use. Most often, dentists in this case use a two-digit algorithm, which implies the following designations:
- 51-55 – right segment of the upper jaw;
- 61-65 – left square of the top row;
- 71-75 – right segment of the lower jaw;
- 81-85 – left square of the bottom row.
Numbering of teeth is a necessary condition for an accurate description of diagnostic and therapeutic dental procedures, since without a description of their location, errors may be made.
Kostyuk Hanna Volodymyrivna
Orthopedic dentist of the first category
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Channels in baby teeth
There are as many nerves in baby teeth as there are in molars—one. In addition, temporary units are similar to permanent ones in the structure of the root system. That is, a milk tooth such as the upper six or second molar has a canal system similar to its molar brother, the second premolar.
Nerve endings perform standard functions:
- signal about developing caries;
- responsible for the growth and development of teeth;
- control the flow of water and nutrients to dentin and enamel.
The root canals of baby teeth are also treated and filled, but the tactics of their treatment depend on how long ago they erupted. Under the temporary units, permanent ones are formed, so treatment should be aimed at preserving them. Milk teeth can only be removed if the permanent teeth are ready to emerge.
Read also: What is the difference between caries and pulpitis?
The roots of permanent incisors, canines and molars do not form immediately, but over the course of about 3 years. Treatment of permanent teeth with unformed roots also differs from the standard one. The canals in the teeth of patients four, five, six years old (depending on the rate of formation of the dentoalveolar apparatus) are filled with a special paste with calcium and fluoride, which helps close the roots.
Dentists' tips for disease prevention
The development of dental pathologies can be prevented only by following the advice of trained doctors and observing the rules of oral hygiene.
So, for prevention purposes, dentists advise:
- do not abuse the rules of hygiene, brush your teeth only in the evening and in the morning. The most common effect on tooth enamel is its abrasion;
- hygiene procedures must be carried out half an hour after eating;
- use rinses to destroy bacteria remaining in the mouth after cleaning;
- Cleaning should be carried out for at least 3 minutes, performing radial movements.
The basic rule is in case of detection of the first signs of the disease (disruption of normal functioning, performance)
, you must contact your dentist immediately. This will help prevent the upcoming development of pathology and preserve teeth.
