INTRODUCTION TO THE PERMANENT DENTITIONDental AnatomyAlyssa Emoryemory@bcd.tamhsc.edu

Introduction

• How many teeth do you have in your mouth? How many on top? How many on bottom?

• Today you will be learning terminology that will be used in your dental office every day.

• The handout and powerpoint you were given contain the same information, but are presented in different formats. Please feel free to use the one that helps you understand the material best.

Outline• Arches• Quadrants• Classification of Teeth• Numbering System

Arches• The mouth is divided into 2 arches:

• Upper arch• Lower arch

• The upper arch is known as the MAXILLARY arch• The lower arch is know as the MANDIBULAR arch• Each arch houses teeth

• The maxillary arch houses the maxillary teeth• The mandibular arch houses the mandibular teeth

• Summary:• Upper arch = Maxillary arch houses maxillary teeth• Lower arch = Mandibular arch houses mandibular teeth

Arches

MaxillaryArch

MandibularArch

Quadrants• The mouth is also divided into quadrants:

• Upper Right• Upper Left• Lower Right• Lower Left

• We just learned on the previous slide the dental terminology for “upper” and “lower”

• Therefore, the quadrants will be referred to as:• Upper Right = Maxillary Right• Upper Left = Maxillary Left• Lower Right = Mandibular Right• Lower Left = Mandibular Left

• Note: “Right” and “Left” refer to the PATIENT’S right and left.

Quadrants

MaxillaryRight

MaxillaryLeft

Mandibular Left

MandibularRight

Classification of Teeth• Teeth are classified as:

• Front teeth• Back teeth

• Front teeth are known as ANTERIOR teeth• Back teeth are known as POSTERIOR teeth

• There are 32 teeth in the human mouth• This means each quadrant contains 8 teeth (32/4=8)

• There are 3 ANTERIOR teeth per quadrant• There are 5 POSTERIOR teeth per quadrant

Classification of Teeth• Each quadrant contains the following 8 teeth (listed from

anterior to posterior):• 3 anterior teeth:

• 1 central incisor• 1 lateral incisor• 1 canine

• 5 posterior teeth:• 2 premolars

• 1st premolar• 2nd premolar

• 3 molars• 1st molar• 2nd molar• 3rd molar

• The 3rd molar is also known as the “Wisdom Tooth”.

Numbering System• In order to identify a specific permanent tooth, each tooth is given a

number. The most commonly used system to number teeth is the Universal Numbering System.

• The Universal Numbering System allows for clear communication between dental professionals.

• There are 32 teeth in the mouth:• The maxillary arch contains tooth numbers 1-16• The mandibular arch contains tooth numbers 17-32

• The numbering begins with #1 at the Maxillary Right Posterior and moves across to the Maxillary Left Posterior; then the numbering continues by moving straight down to the Mandibular Left Posterior and moves across to the Mandibular Right Posterior ending with #32.

• Since each number (#s 1-32) is assigned to a specific tooth, then if a tooth is not present in a person, the number that is assigned to that tooth is skipped.

Numbering System

Summary• We use the Universal Numbering System• The mouth has 32 teeth that are divided in the following

ways:• 2 arches

• Maxillary and Mandibular• 16 teeth per arch

• 4 quadrants• Maxillary Right, Maxillary Left, Mandibular Right, Mandibular Left• 8 teeth per quadrant

• Anterior/Posterior• 3 anterior and 5 posterior per quadrant

• Central Incisor, Lateral Incisor, Canine, Premolar (1st, 2nd), Molar (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

Summary

Summary

Conclusion & Questions