The document discusses various tooth numbering systems used by dentists for tooth identification and data recording, highlighting the necessity of shorthand notation in clinical practice. It outlines three main systems: the Universal Notation System, Zsigmondy/Palmer Notation System, and the Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) system, each with specific methods for identifying primary and permanent teeth. The document details how each system categorizes teeth based on quadrants and assigns codes or numbers to each tooth.

1. TOOTH NUMBERING SYSTEM /
TOOTH IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS
BY – K KISHOR KUMAR
24-1-2014

2. WHY DO WE NEED ?
• system used by dentists to associate information to a
specific tooth.
• In clinical practice some “shorthand” system of tooth
notation is necessary for recording data.
To do so efficiently, it is necessary to adopt a type of code
or numbering system for teeth

3. Types of numbering system’s.
• There are several systems in world,
• 3 main systems are :
1. Universal Notation System.
2. Zsigmondy/Palmer Notation System.
3. Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI).

4. PRIMARY DENTITION
• Dental formula for
the deciduous teeth

5. PERMANENT DENTITION
•Dental formula for the
permanent human
dentition is as follows

6. Universal Notation System
1)For the primary teeth ;
• The universal system of notation for the primary dentition
uses ‘uppercase letters’ for each of the primary teeth.
• For the maxillary teeth, beginning with the right second molar, letters A
through J, and for the mandibular teeth, letters K through T, beginning
with the left mandibular second molar.
• The ADA in 1968 officially recommended the “universal” numbering
system.
2) For the permanent teeth ;

7. Universal Notation System
• The universal system of notation
for the permanent dentition uses
‘numbers’ for each of the
permanent teeth.
• The maxillary teeth are numbered
from 1 through 16, beginning with
the right third molar. Beginning
with the mandibular left third
molar, the teeth are numbered 17
through 32.

8. Zsigmondy/Palmer Notation System.
• Symbolic system
• In this system the arches are
divided into quadrants.
- upper right
- upper left
- lower right
- lower left
The Palmer notation for the entire
deciduous dentition is as follows:

9. Zsigmondy/Palmer Notation System.
• For the permanent dentition is a four-quadrant symbolic system.
• Beginning with the central incisors, the teeth are numbered 1 through
8 (or more) in each arch.
- upper right
- upper left
- lower right
- lower left

10. Federation Dentaire Internationale
(FDI).
• Two-digit system.
• Proposed by FDI has been Adopted by the WHO and by other
organizations such as the International Association for Dental
Research.
• The first digit indicates the quadrant: 5 to 8 for the primary dentition.
• The second digit indicates the tooth within a quadrant 1 to 5 for the
primary teeth.

11. Federation Dentaire Internationale
(FDI).
• The first digit indicates the quadrant: 1 to 4 for the
permanent dentition.
• The second digit indicates the tooth within a quadrant:1
to 8 for the permanent teeth.
• For example, the permanent upper right central incisor
is 11 (pronounced “one one,” not “eleven”).