Dental Terms
Similar to many other health fields, dentistry has what may seem like an endless number of confusing and complex dental terms if you’re not familiar with the industry. You’ve likely heard your dentist using many of these terms during your regular check-up. As you may suspect, every single one of them has an important role in dentistry.
Canadian Tooth Numbering System
The Canadian Tooth Numbering System is used by all dentists and other professionals who work in the industry. This system is used in order to identify each individual tooth in dental terms. In addition, it provides a system for third parties like insurance companies to maintain accurate records on dental history specific to each and every tooth.
How Does the Canadian Tooth Numbering System Work?
The system is organized by dividing the mouth into 4 separate areas. These are known as quadrants, in dental terms. The reason behind this system is to completely avoid confusion. For example, using the terms “right” or “left” and “top” or “bottom” would require a reference point that is based on where the dental worker is located in comparison to the patient, ultimately increasing the chances of confusion.
The quadrant number correlates to the following sections:
Permanent (adult) Dentition:
Quadrant 1 – Upper right
Quadrant 2 – Upper left
Quadrant 3 – Lower left
Quadrant 4 – Lower right
Primary (children) Dentition :
Quadrant 5 – Upper right
Quadrant 6 – Upper left
Quadrant 7 – Lower left
Quadrant 8 – Lower right
For further explanation of these dental terms, quadrant 1 is the upper left side when you are in front of the patient and facing towards them. When you’re considering yourself, quadrant 1 would be the upper right of your mouth. Make sense? We hope so!
Dental Terms – Individual Teeth
Now that you’ve got a grip on the different areas of your mouth, let’s straighten out each tooth (no pun intended).
When considering permanent dentition, each quadrant consist of 8 teeth. Incisors are tooth 1 and 2, the canine would be 3, premolars are both 4 and 5, while and 6, 7, and 8 are all molars. From this, we can gather that the 6th molar is your first, the 7th is your second molar and the 8th molar, which is located at the very back, is called your wisdom tooth or your third molar.
Dental Terms for Tooth Identification
Identifying a tooth and knowing exactly which one(s) your dentist is referring to without asking is now super easy! When referring to a tooth, the dental terms for teeth are simply a combination of the quadrant and then the tooth number. For example, tooth number 14 would be the upper right (quadrant 1) premolar (tooth number 4). Which is read “one four” instead of “fourteen”. What about your lower left second molar? That would be tooth 37!
Dental Terms for Tooth Surfaces
Just when you think you’ve got the numbering system under your belt, we’re going to throw more at you! Dentists also describe a tooth or filling by its surfaces. Some surfaces you may hear mentioned by your dentist would be the following:
M– mesial, the front of the tooth
D– distal, the back of the tooth
O– occlusal, the top of the tooth
B– buccal, the outside surface of the tooth (cheek side)
L– lingual, the inside surface of the tooth (tongue side)
Don’t Worry, There’s More Dental Terms!
That’s right, there’s more! Here’s a few additional dental terms you may hear when you go for your check-up at the dentist:
Primary dentition– baby teeth
Permanent dentition– adult teeth
Maxilla– upper jaw
Mandible– lower jaw
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)– the joint that connects the base of the skull and the lower jaw
Palate– roof of the mouth
Cusp– the pointed or raised part of a tooth
Interproximal– In-between the teeth
Enamel– outer layer of the crown of a natural tooth covering the second layer called the dentin
Pulp– inner layer of the tooth where you find the nerve which is responsible for feeling sensation in the tooth
Calculus– hardened plaque adhering to teeth that can only be removed with a dental instrument
Scaling– completed in your dental hygiene appointment where plaque and calculus are removed with dental instruments
Decay– the decomposition of tooth structure, also known as a cavity or caries
Composite– a dental resin material used for fillings, otherwise known as a “white/tooth coloured” filling
Root Canal– a dental procedure that consists of removing the pulp of the tooth
Crown– also known as a “cap”. This is an artificial crown made from porcelain or a combination of porcelain and metal, or gold that is custom made to fit and be cemented on top of your original or natural tooth
Dental Terms
Remember, if you are having any difficulty understanding what Dr Dodds or your dental insurance company is talking about, all you have to do is ask us. Educating our patients on all things dental is what we love to do!
