Did you know that dentists and oral surgeons use their own special system to describe teeth? While you’re probably used to your teeth being referred to by their names (such as upper right canine), there’s another way that dentists identify them – the Universal Tooth Numbering System, or UTNS, developed by the American Dental Association. If you or someone you love has dental implants, or if you simply want to understand how your dentist talks about your tooth chart numbered, then this article will help!
How Did Dentists Get On This Standardized Nomenclature About Teeth?
If you’ve ever been to the dentist, you may have had your teeth examined and assigned a number. In most dental practices, tooth numbers are assigned in order; each is given its own designation that can make it easier for dentists to find or fix issues. But where did these dental charts come from? And why do they exist? The history behind our numbering system is somewhat mysterious…but there’s some science involved.
Did you know that despite their scientific foundation, dental charts don’t actually correspond with anatomy? The starting point—the upper right side—is called #1. From there, #2 is in line with #1 (and at a 90-degree angle). Then we get to #3 and go into quadrants as we go around both sides of our mouths. This nomenclature was established way back in 1924 by American dentist Thomas Riley Metcalfe (hence Metcalfe Numbering System). His thought process was simple: He just wanted a way to identify teeth so he could more easily reference treatment notes!
What are Molars, Cuspids, Bicuspids, & Incisors?
The first step to understanding why your dentist uses a tooth numbering system is knowing what teeth are and what they do. Molars are hard, flat teeth at either side of your jaw that are used for grinding food. Cuspids or canine teeth sit in front of molars on either side and help tear through food when you chew. Incisors, also called baby or front teeth, take up four spots in front on top and four spots in front on bottom for a total of eight incisors per row (24 total). These smaller teeth are good for biting and chewing but don’t have any particular use for grinding or tearing food.
How Many Teeth Does an Adult Have?
If you’ve ever wondered how many teeth an adult has, chances are you haven’t had your mouth checked since you were a kid. And that’s OK. It’s normal for people to lose teeth over time, meaning it’s likely that even your dentist doesn’t know exactly how many natural teeth are in your mouth. So we asked three best orthodontists near me to weigh in on why adults have fewer teeth than children and what dentists can do about it. Read on to find out more! You may be surprised at some of their answers!
Many Best Orthodontists Near Me don’t realize they’re missing teeth until they’ve reached adulthood—that is, if they notice at all. Only six baby teeth are needed for dental health throughout childhood because our jaws simply don’t fit adult teeth until puberty hits. But when those permanent chompers grow in? There’s not enough room for every tooth!
What are Wisdom Teeth and Can They Be Removed?
Wisdom teeth are also called third molars, and they usually erupt into your mouth during your early 20s. Usually they emerge fully formed, which means there’s no need for filing or shaping. However, it’s not uncommon for wisdom teeth to have an obstructed emergence — meaning they don’t come through your gums in their ideal position. In these cases, dentists often recommend removal because impacted wisdom teeth can cause problems with chewing and speaking. Other times, patients choose to remove wisdom teeth preemptively because they have space-related crowding issues that could cause further problems as their jaw grows and develops over time.
But Wait, There’s More! (to this blog post)
Use best orthodontists near me and you’ll have written your very own advertisement! There are many reasons dentists number teeth. I mean, they’re numbered to begin with, right? Here’s why it matters to you as a patient.