Tooth Anatomy
Tooth Surfaces
Surfaces that are nearest the cheeks or lips are referred to as facial, and those nearest the tongue are known as lingual. Facial surfaces can be subdivided into buccal (when found on posterior teeth nearest the cheeks) and labial (when found on anterior teeth nearest the lips). Lingual surfaces can also be described as palatal when found on maxillary teeth beside the hard palate.
Surfaces that aid in chewing are known as occlusion on posterior teeth and incisal on anterior teeth. Surfaces nearest the junction of the crown and root are referred to as cervical, and those closest to the apex of the root are referred to as apical. The words mesial and distal are also used as descriptions. "Mesial" signifies a surface closer to the median line of the face, which is located on a vertical axis between the eyes, down the nose, and between the contact of the central incisors. Surfaces further away from the median line are described as distal.
Surfaces that are nearest the cheeks or lips are referred to as facial, and those nearest the tongue are known as lingual. Facial surfaces can be subdivided into buccal (when found on posterior teeth nearest the cheeks) and labial (when found on anterior teeth nearest the lips). Lingual surfaces can also be described as palatal when found on maxillary teeth beside the hard palate.
Surfaces that aid in chewing are known as occlusion on posterior teeth and incisal on anterior teeth. Surfaces nearest the junction of the crown and root are referred to as cervical, and those closest to the apex of the root are referred to as apical. The words mesial and distal are also used as descriptions. "Mesial" signifies a surface closer to the median line of the face, which is located on a vertical axis between the eyes, down the nose, and between the contact of the central incisors. Surfaces further away from the median line are described as distal.
Universal Tooth Numbering System
The American system of numbering teeth from 1 to 32 can hardly be described as “elegant”… but this handy tooth chart explains it all:
The Universal numbering system is a dental notation system for associating information to a specific tooth, and is commonly used in the United States. The uppercase letters A through T are used for primary teeth (baby teeth) and the numbers 1 - 32 are used for permanent teeth (adult teeth). The tooth designated "1" is the right maxillary third molar and the count continues along the upper teeth to the left side. Then the count begins at the left mandibular third molar, designated number 17, and continues along the bottom teeth to the right side. Each tooth has a unique number or letter, allowing for easier use on keyboards.
The Universal numbering system is a dental notation system for associating information to a specific tooth, and is commonly used in the United States. The uppercase letters A through T are used for primary teeth (baby teeth) and the numbers 1 - 32 are used for permanent teeth (adult teeth). The tooth designated "1" is the right maxillary third molar and the count continues along the upper teeth to the left side. Then the count begins at the left mandibular third molar, designated number 17, and continues along the bottom teeth to the right side. Each tooth has a unique number or letter, allowing for easier use on keyboards.