Tooth number 11

In the ADA Universal system, tooth 11 is the upper left canine. It is written 23 in FDI notation and └3 in Palmer notation.

Notation

Universal (ADA)
11
FDI (ISO 3950)
23
Palmer
└3
Tooth type
canine
Arch
upper
Side
left
Position from midline
3 of 8

Surfaces of tooth 11

As an anterior tooth it has an incisal (biting) edge and a facial (lip) surface. It has no occlusal table.

F D I M L
Schematic view from above. Mesial is drawn left and distal right on every tooth; on a real chart, which side faces the midline depends on the quadrant.
  • M Mesial — The side facing the front of the mouth, toward the midline.
  • D Distal — The side facing the back of the mouth, away from the midline.
  • F Facial — The lip or cheek side. On front teeth this is also called labial.
  • L Lingual — The tongue side. On upper teeth it is also called palatal.
  • I Incisal — The biting edge. Incisors and canines only.

11 is ambiguous on its own

The number 11 is valid in both numbering systems and means a different tooth in each. In the Universal system it is the upper left canine. In the FDI system it is the upper right central incisor — Universal 8.

If a chart does not state its system, a bare 11 does not identify a tooth. Look for numbers above 32 or letters A–T elsewhere on the chart: those only appear in one system and settle it.

How tooth 11 is written on a chart

Each of these is a valid entry for this tooth. Select one to open it in the decoder.

A combination such as MID on tooth 11 names its mesial, incisal and distal surfaces. Anterior teeth take I, not O. See what MOD means and the full surface reference.

Where tooth 11 sits