Dentistry numbering in dentistry

Many of us go to the dentists in case of emergency. At the same time, one can often hear a special combination - 41 or 48, and in children a 72 tooth is completely “turned out” ?! But every child knows perfectly well that a person has only 32 teeth! How is this possible? In fact, there is no mysticism here, everything is explained easily and simply - such specialists have not only their own jargons, but also their own numbering of the dentition.

For us, ordinary people, there is no need to delve into the professional interpretation of specialists, since this mainly concerns only specialized doctors. Nevertheless, curiosity can prevail, because many people are inherently inquisitive. And this quality is preserved in us from childhood and never passes ...

The need for tooth numbering

Each tooth has its own name, which reflects its location relative to the side and type of jaw (left, right, top, bottom). During the examination of the patient, you can use these terms, simultaneously filling out the medical documentation. For example, the lower right small radical.

The doctor needs to evaluate the condition of each tooth during the examination of the patient's oral cavity. And at the same time indicate in which of them pathology is detected. All this information is recorded in the personal medical record of a potential patient. This allows you to track the progression of a disease, taking into account the dynamics of recovery.

And now you just have to imagine how the doctor numbers the teeth in the mouth, listing all 32 teeth in a similar way during a simple diagnosis. How long would it take ?! But many adults try to avoid such places altogether, and if they get into the dentist’s chair, they want to go through all the procedures as soon as possible.

For this reason, the use of such bulky names is impractical, since this lesson distracts not only the nurse filling out the card, but also the doctor himself.

Thanks to a clear and well-thought-out numbering system, the work of specialists becomes more optimized. All items are maximally simplified, which can significantly reduce the time spent in the dental chair to the delight of many patients.

Evolution features

Each jaw has 16 teeth, which in the end gives just their total number - 32. And this includes wisdom teeth, which are not necessary due to evolutionary features. In addition, in some people, again due to the same factor, the latter do not erupt at all. And in the end, instead of 32 teeth, there are only 28 of them, which is enough for full chewing of food.

Of these 16 elements (we take to consider the numbering of teeth in the mouth of a person the whole row), 4 main groups can be distinguished. And each has a purely individual task. In addition to the process of chewing food, the entire dentofacial system performs other functions. She takes part in swallowing, the formation of speech and the expression of various kinds of emotions.

Molars

These are the most extreme elements of each dentition, three pieces on each side. That is, at the very end of the jaw arch. Their purpose is crushing and grinding food, and the force is quite significant. If someone had to bite his cheek while eating, he knows this like no other.

The third molars are the most famous elements, which just got the popular nickname "wisdom teeth". Dentists call them "eights". And so they do not take part in chewing food. But this is nothing, because they can erupt in a special way, and in some cases cause a person a lot of discomfort, and sometimes pain. Below the text will be presented a photo of the numbering of the teeth, which will allow a better understanding of the essence of these systems.

As for the structure, the molars have the widest crown with tubercles. And due to the characteristic roughness, the molars are most often affected by caries. The molars of the upper arch have three roots for reliable attachment, while the lower teeth have only two.

Premolars

In another way, they are called small root teeth. As you can understand, they follow the fangs. There are 4 pieces on each jaw. Functionality consists in a tight grip and grinding of food. The features of their structure include a wider surface than that of fangs, and in their shape they resemble a prism.

Fangs

They follow the side incisors. Their crown is reinforced, so you can bite off or even tear a small portion from a large piece of food. They also have their own characteristic feature - the longest root among all available teeth. And due to this, they are more stable.

In one of the dentition numbering systems they are not indicated at all, but we will not get ahead of ourselves - everything has its time.

Incisors

These elements are located in the central part of the upper and lower jaw 4 pieces. Moreover, in each segment there is both a central and a lateral incisor. The special structure allows these teeth to bite various foods without much effort. In particular, a flat shape with a thin pointed edge. As for the root system, then they have a single.

Viola system

This tooth numbering scheme was first proposed in 1971. And the introduction into world practice was carried out by specialists of the International Dental Association. Thanks to this technique, doctors in most countries can now diagnose more quickly. In addition, they speak of her as the most convenient.

The essence of tooth numbering in dentists according to the Viola system is as follows. The entire dentition is divided into 4 segments - 2 for each jaw. Each of them has 8 elements, totaling the same 32 teeth. In this case, the I segment refers to the upper left half of the jaw, and II - to the upper right. It is almost the same in the case of the lower jaw, only in a slightly different way: the III segment is the lower right half, and the IV corresponds to the lower left half. In other words, the segment numbering is done clockwise.

The designation in such a system is a two-digit number:

• The first denotes a segment.
• The second indicates the number of the tooth in its row.

The advantage of the system is that it describes the exact location of each element in a row. Agree, it is much easier to call the number 23, rather than say "upper right canine." With the same ease, you can identify a molar or any other tooth.

Harderup Teeth Numbering

This dentition numbering system is strikingly different from the Viola technique. The signs “+” and “-” are used here. In this case, the plus corresponds to the upper jaw, and the minus, respectively, refers to the lower. Arabic numbers are also present. The final result can be presented in the table below.

As can be seen from the table above, the numbering includes 8 digits relative to each segment of the jaw.

For clarity, you can give an example: +5. This value will correspond to the second premolar of the upper jaw on the left side. And as you can see, there will also be no confusion here. But remembering this order is not difficult for doctors. In addition, there are more than enough practices for this.

Sigmondi Palmer tooth counting

This tooth numbering technique was developed in 1861 by a Zigmondy dentist from Hungary. In another way, it was called "military," and for quite some time it was considered imperfect. For better visual perception, both dentitions are also divided into 4 segments. The numbering of the dentition itself is indicated using only Arabic numerals.

However, the combination of “Sigmondi-Palmer” is not just given. The fact is that initially children's temporary teeth were usually denoted in Latin letters. From this a little confusion arose, despite all its simplicity. Another dentist from Ohio, named Palmer, eliminated this inconvenience by replacing the Roman alphabet with Roman numerals.

And to indicate the localization of the tooth in a row, a sign is used in the form of two lines perpendicular to each other. The figure below will tell you more about this.

Such a system, developed by the efforts of both dentists, is very popular among UK specialists. It is also widely used by doctors of other dental fields. And in addition to conventional dentists, the Sigmondi-Palmer technique is especially important for maxillofacial surgeons and even orthodontists who specialize in correcting an abnormal bite.

Universal alphanumeric combination

The name and numbering of the teeth of this technique speaks for itself - in addition to Arabic numbers, Latin letters are used in it. This is the most complex system of all presented in the topic of this article. Novice dentists may have difficulty identifying a particular tooth. Nevertheless, among American dentists, the technique has become widespread.

Each type of tooth has its own letter designation:

• For incisors - I (Incisivus).
• For fangs - C (Caninus).
• For small indigenous or premolar - P (Premolaris).
• For the molars themselves - M (Molaris).

At the same time, numbers are located near each letter on the right side, but in a certain order: if they are in the upper corner, then this is the upper jaw. Similarly with the lower digits - the lower jaw.

Just keep in mind that only three digits are used, and not 8, as in other systems. The reason is simple, a person on each side has three molars (M ³ , M ² , M ¹ or M ₁ M ₂ M ₃ ) and two premolars (P2P1 or P1P2) and the same number of incisors (I2I1 ​​or I1I2). Near the letter C, the number is not put for an obvious reason - fangs are always one on each side.

Tooth numbering in children

Unlike adult patients, a slightly different principle of tooth numbering works in relation to children. This is mainly due to the anatomical features of children's jaws. Milk teeth begin to erupt with the onset of their lifespan of 3 to 6 months. However, the beginnings of the permanent elements begin to form.

If it becomes necessary to take an x-ray for a five-year-old child, it is already possible to make out on it both milk and permanent teeth. But since the numbering is adopted from 11 to 48 for permanent teeth, another scheme has been invented for temporary elements:

• The top row on the right is the 5th dozen.
• The top row on the left is the 6th dozen.
• The bottom row on the left is the 7th dozen.
• The bottom row on the right is the 8th dozen.

What is characteristic, milk elements also have their own root system. But by the time of their change with permanent teeth, it independently resolves. As you can see, this almost corresponds to the adult Viola system, which is also divided into segments. In the Harderup system, the numbering of milk teeth is supplemented by a zero in front of the number.

According to the Sigmondi-Palmer technique, it is customary to designate children's temporary elements in Roman numerals. As for the American method, each milk tooth in the row corresponds to a lowercase Latin letter.