Tooth Numbering System in Dentistry

Study Notes

A tooth numbering system is used by dentists to identify and specify information about a particular tooth, allowing for easy identification, communication, and dental record maintenance.

There are three commonly used systems: Zsigmondy-Palmer system, Universal Numbering System, and FDI system numbering system.

The whole dentition is divided into four quadrants or sections: upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left.

Developed by Adolf Zsigmondy in 1861, using a Zsigmondy cross to record quadrants of tooth positions.
Uses numbers for permanent teeth and Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV, V) for primary teeth.
Consists of a symbol indicating the quadrant and a number indicating the position from the midline.
Named after American dentist Dr. Corydon Palmer.

Proposed by German dentist Julius Parreidt in 1882 and accepted by the American Dental Association (ADA) in 1968.
Used by dental professionals in America.
For primary teeth: starts from the upper arch right side to left side, lettered A to J.
For permanent teeth: assigned numbers sequentially, starting from the posterior most region of the upper first quadrant.

A two-digit system for both primary and permanent dentitions, also known as the ISO 3950 notation system.
Used to record information on the health of a patient's teeth and share information with other oral health professionals.
Orientation of the chart is traditionally "dentist's view".
For adults: the mouth is divided into quadrants numbered from 1 to 4 clockwise from the dentist's view, with teeth numbered from 1 to 8.
For children: the mouth is divided into quadrants numbered from 5 to 8 clockwise.

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