Teeth Numbers and Names Chart: How Dentists in Ventura County Identify Each Tooth

When you visit a dentist in Ventura County, at any Channel Islands Family Dental Office location in Ventura, Oxnard, Newbury Park, Port Hueneme, or Santa Paula, you may hear phrases like:

• “Distal cavity in tooth 23”
• “Resin for a change in tooth 48”

These statements do not mean that a person has 48 teeth. An adult normally has 32 permanent teeth, while children have 20 primary (baby) teeth. The numbers your dentist mentions refer to the location of the tooth, based on its quadrant and position in the dental numbering system.

At Channel Islands Family Dental Office our goal is to help patients across Ventura County feel informed and confident by understanding what the various terms really mean.

What does a dental teeth numbers chart show?

A teeth numbering chart or odontogram is a visual record used by dentists to document the condition of each tooth.

In dental clinics throughout Ventura County, this chart helps dentists:

• record cavities, fillings, crowns, or previous treatments
• identify the exact tooth that needs care
• plan treatments accurately
• communicate clearly with other dental professionals

Why do dentists number teeth?

Each tooth indeed has a name: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. But it’s not that simple. For example, we have 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars. So, how can you tell exactly which tooth is which?

That’s why dentists use numbers. The teeth numbering chart helps them identify and classify each specific tooth clearly during examination, diagnosis, and treatment, avoiding confusion and ensuring precise care.

Different numbering systems exist, each one with its own rules and sequence for permanent and primary teeth.

Understanding dental quadrants

To fully understand tooth numbering, it’s important to know how dentists divide the mouth into four quadrants:

• Quadrant 1: Upper right
• Quadrant 2: Upper left
• Quadrant 3: Lower left
• Quadrant 4: Lower right

Each quadrant contains 8 permanent teeth, for a total of 32.

Tooth numbering systems used worldwide

There are several tooth numbering systems used around the world, including:

• Zsigmondy-Palmer System
• Universal Numbering System
• FDI Numbering System
• Victor Haderup System
• Woelfel System
• MICAP System

Most of these systems focus on permanent teeth, while specific numbering is also used for primary (baby) teeth.

Among all systems, Zsigmondy-Palmer is the oldest, introduced in 1861, and later became known as Palmer’s notation.

Which tooth numbering systems do dentists use in Ventura County?

When you visit a dentist in Ventura County, the numbering system used usually follows U.S. dental standards.

However, dentists in Ventura, Oxnard, Newbury Park, Port Hueneme, and Santa Paula are trained to recognize multiple systems to ensure accurate diagnosis and communication.

The three most important systems are explained below.

Universal teeth numbering system (the most common in the U.S.)

The Universal Numbering System, also called the American system, was accepted by the American Dental Association (ADA) in 1968. It is the most commonly used system by dentists in the United States, including Ventura County.

Permanent teeth (Adults)

• Teeth are numbered from 1 to 32
• Tooth #1 is the upper right third molar (wisdom tooth)
• Counting continues across the upper jaw to #16
• The lower jaw starts at #17 (lower left third molar)
• Ends at #32 (lower right third molar)

This sequence makes it easy for dentists to locate teeth quickly during exams and treatments.

Primary teeth (milk teeth / children)

• Baby teeth are labeled with letters A through T
• This system is commonly used in pediatric dental visits in Ventura County.

One limitation of this system is that it does not classify supernumerary teeth, which can appear more often in primary dentition.

FDI system: the international standard

The FDI System, developed by the World Dental Federation and adopted by the World Health Organization, is one of the most widely used tooth numbering systems worldwide.

While it is not the primary system in the United States, many dentists in Ventura County recognize and understand it, especially when reviewing dental records or diagnoses from other countries.

Each tooth is identified using two digits:

• first digit: indicates the quadrant of the mouth.
• second digit: indicates the tooth’s position within that quadrant.

It divides the mouth into four quadrants and counts teeth in each as if they were mirror images.

Permanent teeth (adults)

• Quadrants 1 through 4
• Eight teeth per quadrant

Primary teeth (milk teeth / children)

• Quadrants 5 through 8
• Five teeth per quadrant

This system makes it easier for dental professionals to share information and maintain accurate records across different countries.

Palmer system: a visual way to identify teeth

The Palmer System is widely used in the United Kingdom and is especially popular among orthodontists since it provides a clear, visual way to identify teeth in the mouth.

Although it is not the main tooth numbering system used in the United States, many dentists in Ventura County are familiar with it, particularly when reviewing orthodontic records, referrals, or treatment plans.

What makes the Palmer System different?

• The mouth is divided into four quadrants
• Symbols are used to represent each quadrant
• Permanent teeth are numbered from 1 to 8
• Baby teeth are labeled with letters A through E

Palmer quadrant symbols

• ┘upper right
• └ upper left
• ┐ lower right
• ┌ lower left

This system allows for fast and visual tooth identification, which is especially helpful during orthodontic treatments.

How do understanding tooth numbers benefit you as a patient?

At Cidentist, serving patients across Ventura County, including Oxnard, Newbury Park, Port Hueneme, and Santa Paula, dentists use tooth numbering systems to explain your diagnosis clearly and avoid confusion during treatment.

As a patient, knowing the basics of tooth numbers allows you to better follow your treatment plan, and feel more confident, informed, and involved in your oral health care decisions.