Ever wonder what the numbering system on your dental x-rays meant? That number you see at the top of the image tells your dentist which teeth were captured in that particular shot, making it easier to refer back to that specific area of your mouth when discussing treatment options. Here’s a brief guide to understanding and using the dental teeth numbers chart, so you can be sure that you know exactly what’s going on with your teeth every time you visit the dentist!
What is it?
It’s simple: The dental teeth number chart is a series of numbers that correspond to every tooth in your mouth. It sounds weird, but being familiar with them can help you better communicate with your dentist and understand when certain issues arise. For example, teeth 1 through 4 are your incisors—the front teeth near your nose—and 5 through 8 are your canine teeth (also called cuspid or eye teeth). But things get complicated fast: Even within these categories, you might notice a difference between how they feel and look from person to person. Because our mouths aren’t cookie-cutter identical, it’s important to know where everything is located so we can explain what happens when something shifts or changes.
Why is it important?
It’s important to understand which of your teeth are in what group so that you can identify them correctly and, as a result, prevent complications. There are two ways to find out how your teeth are numbered. One is to schedule an appointment with your dentist and ask him or her to show you, or you can take a good look at your teeth yourself in a mirror (you might need one or both lights on). You should be able to see where your molars (the large grinding teeth at each end of your jaw) are located, as well as where any other tooth is in relation to those. From there, it’s not hard at all to figure out how they’re numbered.
What information can I get from this chart?
Knowing which teeth are which is useful when dealing with dental issues. It is also useful when you want to find someone who can help you with a certain aspect of your oral health. For example, knowing where tooth #34 sits in relation to other teeth will allow you to provide your dentist with more information regarding potential problems that may be located in that area. This additional information can help improve his/her ability to identify and treat any issues. Another example would be if you know what type of tooth #10 is (it’s a wisdom tooth) and then decide you’d like it removed for aesthetic reasons.
When do we use this chart?
The chart below is used by dentists and dental professionals to specify where teeth are located on a person’s mouth. The numbering system is made up of three numbers, each indicating a different part of a tooth. First, we have an area of tissue called tooth location which indicates where in relation to other teeth your tooth is placed. Next, we have another number that tells us how far from an imaginary line running along our gums that tooth falls. And lastly, we have our actual tooth number – if you think about it, there really isn’t any need for name identification for each individual piece of hardware on your mouth when all it does is chip away at those chips and salsa with reckless abandon!
How can I understand this chart better?
It’s easy to get confused by dental numbering charts. While you might think they’re used to tell you how many teeth you have, that’s actually not true. Instead, these charts are a way for your dentist to communicate with other dentists about what procedures were done to your teeth and why. The charts aren’t that hard to understand once you know their ins and outs. In fact, knowing how they work will help prevent confusion in case of an emergency where another dentist is working on your mouth—like if there’s an infection or injury that requires treatment from multiple dentists! If you have questions about dental numbering charts, talk to your dentist or oral surgeon before your next appointment.