Tooth Numbers Chart & Dental Code Decoder
Wondering what tooth #14, #19, or #30 means on your dental treatment plan? Explore our complete adult dentition map with FDI international equivalents, eruption ages, root counts, and billing surface codes like MOD and DO.
Interactive Dental Arch Numbering Map
Click any tooth number to view anatomy, FDI international code, and clinical notes.
Upper Right Wisdom Tooth
Upper Right • 3 Root(s)
Frequently removed if impacted, causes crowding, or develops pericoronitis.
Upper Right 12-Year Molar
Upper Right • 3 Root(s)
Key chewing tooth; broad occlusal surface with deep grooves susceptible to cavities.
Upper Right 6-Year Molar
Upper Right • 3 Root(s)
Cornerstone of adult dental occlusion; often features the Cusp of Carabelli.
Upper Right 2nd Bicuspid
Upper Right • 1 Root(s)
Replaces primary (baby) second molar; typically single rooted.
Upper Right 1st Bicuspid
Upper Right • 2 Root(s)
Unique among premolars for commonly having two roots (buccal & palatal).
Upper Right Eye Tooth / Cuspid
Upper Right • 1 Root(s)
Longest root in human dentition; forms the canine eminence supporting facial contours.
Upper Right Side Front Tooth
Upper Right • 1 Root(s)
Most prone to congenital absence (agenesis) or peg lateral malformation after wisdom teeth.
Upper Right Front Center Tooth
Upper Right • 1 Root(s)
Most prominent tooth in the smile; midline of upper dental arch starts here.
Upper Left Front Center Tooth
Upper Left • 1 Root(s)
Pairs with tooth #8 to form the center of the upper smile.
Upper Left Side Front Tooth
Upper Left • 1 Root(s)
Smaller than central incisors; rounded incisal angles.
Upper Left Eye Tooth / Cuspid
Upper Left • 1 Root(s)
Dense root bone; vital anchor for dental bridges and orthodontic arch shape.
Upper Left 1st Bicuspid
Upper Left • 2 Root(s)
Frequently extracted in orthodontic treatment for severe crowding relief.
Upper Left 2nd Bicuspid
Upper Left • 1 Root(s)
Has a single root with two rounded cusps of nearly equal height.
Upper Left 6-Year Molar
Upper Left • 3 Root(s)
Roots often sit directly beneath the maxillary sinus floor.
Upper Left 12-Year Molar
Upper Left • 3 Root(s)
Smaller than 1st molar; three roots that are closer together.
Upper Left Wisdom Tooth
Upper Left • 3 Root(s)
Last tooth on the upper left arch; roots can fuse into a single conical root.
Lower Left Wisdom Tooth
Lower Left • 2 Root(s)
Most commonly horizontally or angularly impacted wisdom tooth requiring oral surgery.
Lower Left 12-Year Molar
Lower Left • 2 Root(s)
Cross-shaped occlusal groove pattern ('hot cross bun' pattern).
Lower Left 6-Year Molar
Lower Left • 2 Root(s)
Statistically the most restored or root-canaled tooth due to early eruption in childhood.
Lower Left 2nd Bicuspid
Lower Left • 1 Root(s)
Frequently presents three cusps (one buccal, two lingual).
Lower Left 1st Bicuspid
Lower Left • 1 Root(s)
Has a very small lingual cusp resembling an exaggerated cingulum.
Lower Left Eye Tooth / Cuspid
Lower Left • 1 Root(s)
Smoother facial surface than maxillary canine; rarely has bifurcated root.
Lower Left Side Front Tooth
Lower Left • 1 Root(s)
Slightly larger and wider than the lower central incisor.
Lower Left Front Center Tooth
Lower Left • 1 Root(s)
Smallest and most symmetrical tooth in the entire human permanent dentition.
Lower Right Front Center Tooth
Lower Right • 1 Root(s)
Sits right beside tooth #24; salivary glands under tongue make tartar buildup common here.
Lower Right Side Front Tooth
Lower Right • 1 Root(s)
Crown tilts slightly distal on root base to follow curve of lower jaw.
Lower Right Eye Tooth / Cuspid
Lower Right • 1 Root(s)
Long, sturdy single root providing strong resistance against horizontal chewing loads.
Lower Right 1st Bicuspid
Lower Right • 1 Root(s)
Prominent buccal cusp that does the vast majority of functional chewing contact.
Lower Right 2nd Bicuspid
Lower Right • 1 Root(s)
Often has a Y-shaped occlusal groove pattern created by 3 cusps.
Lower Right 6-Year Molar
Lower Right • 2 Root(s)
Features 5 cusps (3 buccal, 2 lingual); common recipient of crowns and fillings.
Lower Right 12-Year Molar
Lower Right • 2 Root(s)
Features 4 cusps divided by a cruciform groove; two divergent roots.
Lower Right Wisdom Tooth
Lower Right • 2 Root(s)
Last tooth in the standard 1–32 universal numbering system. Frequently requires extraction.
Dental Bill & Chart Surface Codes Decoder (MOD, DO, MO, B, L)
When a dentist writes an insurance code like "MOD composite on #19" or "DO resin #14", the letters indicate which specific tooth surfaces require restoration.
Surface facing toward the front dental midline
Example: MOD filling (Mesial-Occlusal-Distal)
Surface facing toward the back of the mouth (away from midline)
Example: DO filling (Distal-Occlusal)
Chewing or biting surface of posterior teeth (premolars & molars)
Example: O composite (top bite pit filling)
Biting cutting edge of anterior teeth (incisors & canines)
Example: Incisal chip repair
Surface facing outward toward cheek (buccal) or lips (facial/labial)
Example: Facial porcelain veneer
Surface facing inside toward tongue (lower) or palate/roof of mouth (upper)
Example: Lingual permanent retainer wire
How the Universal Tooth Numbering System Works
Upper Jaw (Maxillary Arch: #1 to #16)
Numbering begins at the patient's upper right third molar (wisdom tooth) as Tooth #1. Moving sequentially across the front teeth:
- #1 to #3: Upper Right Molars (Wisdom #1, 12-Yr #2, 6-Yr #3)
- #4 & #5: Upper Right Premolars (Bicuspids)
- #6: Upper Right Canine (Eye tooth)
- #7 & #8: Upper Right Lateral and Central Incisors (Front teeth)
- #9 & #10: Upper Left Central and Lateral Incisors
- #11: Upper Left Canine
- #12 & #13: Upper Left Premolars
- #14 to #16: Upper Left Molars (6-Yr #14, 12-Yr #15, Wisdom #16)
Lower Jaw (Mandibular Arch: #17 to #32)
Numbering drops directly straight down to the patient's lower left third molar as Tooth #17, then travels back across the lower jaw:
- #17 to #19: Lower Left Molars (Wisdom #17, 12-Yr #18, 6-Yr #19)
- #20 & #21: Lower Left Premolars
- #22: Lower Left Canine
- #23 & #24: Lower Left Lateral and Central Incisors
- #25 & #26: Lower Right Central and Lateral Incisors
- #27: Lower Right Canine
- #28 & #29: Lower Right Premolars
- #30 to #32: Lower Right Molars (6-Yr #30, 12-Yr #31, Wisdom #32)
Frequently Asked Questions
What tooth number is the most commonly worked on?
Statistically, Tooth #19 and Tooth #30 (the lower first permanent molars) and Tooth #3 and #14 (upper first molars) undergo the highest rate of fillings, root canals, and crowns. Because they erupt around age 6 without replacing baby teeth, they endure chewing stress for the longest period.
What are the numbers of the four wisdom teeth?
The four third molars are teeth #1 (Upper Right), #16 (Upper Left), #17 (Lower Left), and #32 (Lower Right). In FDI international notation, they are 18, 28, 38, and 48.
How are baby teeth (primary dentition) numbered?
In the Universal System, children's 20 primary teeth are labeled with letters A through T rather than numbers. 'A' starts at the upper right second primary molar, ending at 'J' on the upper left, while 'K' begins at lower left and 'T' finishes at lower right.