Knowing the names of the teeth helps you understand dental checkups, talk clearly with your dentist, and care for your smile. Many people search for this information after a cleaning, when explaining pain to a provider, or simply out of curiosity about how the mouth works. This guide covers the main types, full scientific names, numbering systems, and practical details so you leave with a complete picture of adult and primary dentition.
Basic Types and Names of the Teeth in Adults
Adults normally have 32 permanent teeth divided into four functional groups. These groups explain both shape and job in chewing.
- Central incisor
- Lateral incisor
- Canine (cuspid)
- First premolar (bicuspid)
- Second premolar
- First molar
- Second molar
- Third molar (wisdom tooth)
- Maxillary central incisor
- Mandibular lateral incisor
- Upper canine
- Lower first premolar
- Maxillary first molar
- Mandibular second molar
- Upper third molar
Primary or Baby Names of the Teeth Explained Simply
Children start with 20 primary teeth that later make room for permanent ones. These names focus on the smaller set that appears first.
- Primary central incisor
- Primary lateral incisor
- Primary canine
- Primary first molar
- Primary second molar
- Deciduous central incisor
- Deciduous lateral incisor
- Milk canine
- Primary upper first molar
- Primary lower second molar
- Deciduous maxillary central
- Primary mandibular canine
- Baby first molar
- Primary second molar upper
- Deciduous lower lateral
Full Scientific Names of the Teeth by Location
Dentists often use the complete formal name that includes jaw, side, and type. These precise labels remove any confusion.
- Permanent maxillary right central incisor
- Permanent maxillary left lateral incisor
- Permanent mandibular right canine
- Permanent mandibular left first premolar
- Permanent maxillary right second premolar
- Permanent maxillary left first molar
- Permanent mandibular right second molar
- Permanent mandibular left third molar
- Permanent maxillary right canine
- Permanent mandibular left central incisor
- Permanent maxillary left second molar
- Permanent mandibular right first molar
- Permanent maxillary right third molar
- Permanent mandibular left lateral incisor
- Permanent maxillary left first premolar
Numbering System Names of the Teeth in Universal Notation
The Universal Numbering System assigns a single number from 1 to 32. It is the most common system used in the United States.
- Tooth 1 (upper right third molar)
- Tooth 8 (upper right central incisor)
- Tooth 9 (upper left central incisor)
- Tooth 16 (upper left third molar)
- Tooth 17 (lower left third molar)
- Tooth 24 (lower left central incisor)
- Tooth 25 (lower right central incisor)
- Tooth 32 (lower right third molar)
- Tooth 6 (upper right canine)
- Tooth 11 (upper left canine)
- Tooth 22 (lower left canine)
- Tooth 27 (lower right canine)
- Tooth 3 (upper right first molar)
- Tooth 14 (upper left first molar)
- Tooth 19 (lower left first molar)
FDI Notation Names of the Teeth Used Worldwide
The FDI (ISO) system uses two digits: the first for the quadrant and the second for the position from the midline. It is the international standard.
- 11 (maxillary right central incisor)
- 21 (maxillary left central incisor)
- 31 (mandibular left central incisor)
- 41 (mandibular right central incisor)
- 13 (maxillary right canine)
- 23 (maxillary left canine)
- 33 (mandibular left canine)
- 43 (mandibular right canine)
- 16 (maxillary right first molar)
- 26 (maxillary left first molar)
- 36 (mandibular left first molar)
- 46 (mandibular right first molar)
- 18 (maxillary right third molar)
- 28 (maxillary left third molar)
- 48 (mandibular right third molar)
Palmer Notation Names of the Teeth for Quick Charts
Palmer notation uses a symbol for the quadrant plus a number or letter. Many orthodontists still prefer this visual style.
- ┘1 (upper right central)
- └1 (upper left central)
- ┌1 (lower left central)
- ┐1 (lower right central)
- ┘3 (upper right canine)
- └3 (upper left canine)
- ┌3 (lower left canine)
- ┐3 (lower right canine)
- ┘6 (upper right first molar)
- └6 (upper left first molar)
- ┌6 (lower left first molar)
- ┐6 (lower right first molar)
- ┘8 (upper right third molar)
- └8 (upper left third molar)
- ┐8 (lower right third molar)
Functional Group Names of the Teeth and Their Jobs
Each type of tooth has a clear role in breaking down food. Understanding these names links form to everyday use.
- Cutting incisors
- Tearing canines
- Crushing premolars
- Grinding molars
- Biting central incisors
- Shearing lateral incisors
- Piercing cuspids
- Mixing first premolars
- Grinding second premolars
- Chewing first molars
- Heavy grinding second molars
- Wisdom third molars
- Food-cutting front teeth
- Tear-and-hold canines
- Broad-surface molars
Maxillary Arch Names of the Teeth in the Upper Jaw
The upper jaw holds sixteen permanent teeth. These names focus only on the maxillary set.
- Maxillary central incisor
- Maxillary lateral incisor
- Maxillary canine
- Maxillary first premolar
- Maxillary second premolar
- Maxillary first molar
- Maxillary second molar
- Maxillary third molar
- Upper right central
- Upper left lateral
- Upper right canine
- Upper left first premolar
- Upper right second molar
- Upper left third molar
- Maxillary right first molar
Mandibular Arch Names of the Teeth in the Lower Jaw
The lower jaw mirrors the upper set with its own sixteen permanent teeth. These names stay specific to the mandible.
- Mandibular central incisor
- Mandibular lateral incisor
- Mandibular canine
- Mandibular first premolar
- Mandibular second premolar
- Mandibular first molar
- Mandibular second molar
- Mandibular third molar
- Lower right central
- Lower left lateral
- Lower right canine
- Lower left first premolar
- Lower right second molar
- Lower left third molar
- Mandibular left first molar
Deciduous Quadrant Names of the Teeth for Children
Primary teeth also follow quadrant logic. These names help parents and pediatric dentists track early development.
- Primary maxillary right central
- Primary maxillary left lateral
- Primary mandibular right canine
- Primary mandibular left first molar
- Primary maxillary right second molar
- Primary maxillary left central
- Primary mandibular right lateral
- Primary mandibular left canine
- Primary maxillary right first molar
- Primary mandibular left second molar
- Deciduous upper right canine
- Deciduous lower left central
- Primary upper left first molar
- Primary lower right second molar
- Deciduous maxillary left second molar
Surface and Feature Names of the Teeth for Detailed Study
Beyond the main name, each tooth has surfaces and landmarks. These additional names appear in clinical notes and textbooks.
- Labial surface
- Lingual surface
- Mesial surface
- Distal surface
- Occlusal surface
- Incisal edge
- Buccal surface
- Cervical margin
- Cusp tip
- Fossa
- Ridge
- Groove
- Pit
- Root apex
- Cementoenamel junction
Developmental Stage Names of the Teeth Across Age
Teeth change status as a person grows. These names mark the shift from baby teeth to the adult set.
- Emerging primary central
- Fully erupted primary molar
- Exfoliating primary canine
- Erupting permanent first molar
- Mixed dentition lateral
- Succedaneous premolar
- Non-succedaneous molar
- Impacted third molar
- Fully formed permanent canine
- Root-resorbing primary molar
- Emerging permanent central
- Complete permanent set
- Late-erupting wisdom tooth
- Shed primary second molar
- Mature permanent first molar
Clinical and Common Alternate Names of the Teeth
Everyday conversation and some older texts use simpler or alternative labels. These names still refer to the same teeth.
- Front teeth (incisors)
- Eye teeth (canines)
- Bicuspids (premolars)
- Wisdom teeth (third molars)
- Milk teeth (primary set)
- Baby teeth (deciduous)
- Cuspid (canine)
- Six-year molar (first permanent molar)
- Twelve-year molar (second permanent molar)
- Corner teeth (canines)
- Cutting teeth (incisors)
- Grinding teeth (molars)
- Double teeth (premolars)
- Permanent successors
- Adult molars
Specialized Numbering and Chart Names of the Teeth
Different practices and countries keep additional notation styles. These names complete the picture of how teeth are recorded.
- Universal 1–32 permanent
- Universal A–T primary
- FDI 11–48 permanent
- FDI 51–85 primary
- Palmer permanent 1–8 with quadrant
- Palmer primary A–E with quadrant
- Alphanumeric UR1
- Alphanumeric UL8
- Alphanumeric LL1
- Alphanumeric LR8
- Quadrant 1 tooth 1
- Quadrant 2 tooth 6
- Quadrant 3 tooth 3
- Quadrant 4 tooth 8
- Mixed dentition chart entry
FAQs
How many permanent teeth does an adult normally have?
Most adults have 32 permanent teeth, including the four wisdom teeth. Some people never develop one or more third molars.
What are the four main types of teeth?
The four types are incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Each type has a different shape matched to its job in chewing.
Do children have the same names of teeth as adults?
Children have primary (deciduous) versions of incisors, canines, and molars. They do not have premolars; those appear only in the permanent set.
What is the difference between maxillary and mandibular teeth?
Maxillary teeth sit in the upper jaw. Mandibular teeth sit in the lower jaw. The names stay the same otherwise.
Why do dentists use numbers instead of full names?
Numbers and short codes make charting faster and reduce errors. The Universal, FDI, and Palmer systems are the most widely used.
When do the first permanent teeth usually appear?
The first permanent molars typically erupt around age six. They come in behind the primary molars and are sometimes called six-year molars.
Are wisdom teeth part of the normal names of the teeth?
Yes. Wisdom teeth are the third molars. They are the last to erupt, usually between ages 17 and 21, and many people have them removed.
Conclusion
Learning the names of the teeth turns a confusing dental chart into something clear and useful. From the simple four-type system to detailed numbering methods, each label helps you understand function, location, and care. Whether you are a parent tracking a child’s primary set, an adult preparing for a checkup, or simply curious about anatomy, these names give you a solid foundation. Keep this guide handy the next time you sit in the dental chair you will already know exactly what the dentist is talking about.
