Tooth number 28

In the ADA Universal system, tooth 28 is the lower right first premolar. It is written 44 in FDI notation and 4┐ in Palmer notation.

Notation

Universal (ADA)
28
FDI (ISO 3950)
44
Palmer
4┐
Tooth type
premolar
Arch
lower
Side
right
Position from midline
4 of 8

Surfaces of tooth 28

As a posterior tooth it has an occlusal (chewing) table and a buccal (cheek) face. It has no incisal edge.

B D O 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.
  • B Buccal — The cheek side. Used for premolars and molars.
  • L Lingual — The tongue side. On upper teeth it is also called palatal.
  • O Occlusal — The chewing surface. Premolars and molars only.

28 is ambiguous on its own

The number 28 is valid in both numbering systems and means a different tooth in each. In the Universal system it is the lower right first premolar. In the FDI system it is the upper left third molar — Universal 16.

If a chart does not state its system, a bare 28 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 28 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 MOD on tooth 28 names its mesial, occlusal and distal surfaces together — the pattern usually written MOD. See what MOD means and the full surface reference.

Where tooth 28 sits