Tooth and Surface Identification

Tooth Identification

The teeth are identified by the quadrant in which they are located and whether they are located in the front or the back of the mouth.

Anterior - The teeth located in the front of the mouth

Posterior - The teeth located towards the back of the mouth

Note: In the example, tooth #1, #16, #17, and #32 are missing.

Anterior Teeth

The teeth that show when we smile
Are used for biting and tearing food
Are located in both the upper and lower arches
Are comprised of a total of 12 teeth
- 6 in the upper arch and 6 in the lower arch.
- This applies to both primary dentition and permanent dentition.
The abbreviation is ANT

Posterior Teeth

Are not as visible as anterior teeth
Are used for grinding and chewing food
Are located in both the upper and lower arches
Primary dentition - comprised of a total of 8 teeth
- 4 in the upper arch and 4 in the lower arch
Permanent dentition - comprised of a total of 20 teeth
- 10 in the upper arch and 10 in the lower arch
The abbreviation is POST

Anterior Teeth

In the primary and permanent dentition, there are six anterior teeth in both the maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) arches for a total of twelve anterior teeth. Anterior teeth are used for biting and tearing food.

Central Incisors

The two front teeth are called central incisors and are the most visible teeth. Central incisors are used for cutting food.

Lateral Incisors

The teeth to the right and left of the central incisors are called the lateral incisors. They are also used for cutting food.

Canines

The teeth to the right and left of the lateral incisors, going toward the back of the mouth, are called the canines. They are used for tearing and cutting food. Also can be referred to as cuspids.

Posterior Primary Teeth

Primary - First and Second Molars

As mentioned above in the primary dentition, there are four posterior teeth in both the maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) arches for a total of eight posterior teeth. Posterior teeth are used for grinding and chewing food.

The two teeth located after the canines on the right and left are the molars. Molars are used for grinding and chewing food.

There are two sets of molars
The first molars erupt by the age of 13 - 19 months
The second molars erupt by the age of 23 - 33 months

Posterior Permanent Teeth

Permanent - First and Second Premolars

As mentioned above in the permanent dentition, there are ten posterior teeth in both the maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) arches for a total of twenty posterior teeth. Posterior teeth are used for grinding and chewing food.

The two teeth after the canines on the right and left are premolars, commonly referred to as bicuspids. Premolars are used for tearing food.

There are two sets of premolars
The first premolars erupt by the age of 10
The second premolars erupt by the age of 12

Note: In the example, tooth #1, #16, #17, and #32 are missing.

Permanent - First, Second, and Third Molars

In the permanent dentition, the molars are located behind the premolars. Molars are used for grinding and chewing food. There are three sets of molars referred to as first, second, and third molars.

The first molars erupt by age 6 and are sometimes referred to as 6-year molars
The second molars erupt by age 12 and are sometimes referred to as 12-year molars
The third molars erupt at age 18 - 21 and are commonly referred to as wisdom teeth.

Note: In the example, the third molars are missing (tooth #1, #16, #17, and #32).

Cusps

Canine/cuspid teeth and all posterior teeth have cusp(s). A cusp is the prominent, biting edge of a tooth.
Canine/cuspid teeth have 1 cusp. Premolars have 2 cusps, hence the term bicuspid, and molars usually have 4 cusps.

Canine/Cuspid

1 cusp

Premolars

2 cusps (bicuspid)

Molars

4 cusps (usually)

Tooth Surfaces

Each tooth in the mouth has five sides. These sides are referred to as surfaces and each surface has a specific name. The surface names may be different depending upon whether a tooth is an anterior or posterior tooth.

Note: The terms below apply to both arches (maxillary and mandibular) relative to anterior or posterior teeth.

Anterior Tooth Surfaces

Mesial Surface

Refers to the surface of the tooth that is closest to the midline
The abbreviation is M

Distal Surface

Refers to the surface of the tooth that is furthest from the midline
The abbreviation is D

Facial Surface

Refers to the surface of the tooth that is towards the lips
It is the surface that can be seen when someone smiles
The abbreviation is F
Apples to anterior teeth only

Incisal Surface

Refers to the cutting edge of the tooth
The abbreviation is I
Applies to anterior teeth only

Lingual Surface

Refers to the surface of the tooth that is towards the tongue
The abbreviation is L

Posterior Tooth Surfaces

Posterior teeth have some of the same surfaces as anterior teeth and some different surfaces.
Note: In the examples below for permanent dentition, tooth #1, #16, #17, and #32 are missing.