ToothNotation

permanent dentition · upper right quadrant

Tooth number 3

In the ADA Universal system, tooth 3 is the upper right first molar. It is written 16 in FDI notation and 6┘ in Palmer notation.

Notation

Universal (ADA)
3
FDI (ISO 3950)
16
Palmer
6┘
Tooth type
molar
Arch
upper
Side
right
Position from midline
6 of 8

Surfaces of tooth 3

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.

How tooth 3 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 3 names its mesial, occlusal and distal surfaces together — the pattern usually written MOD. See what MOD means and the full surface reference.

Where tooth 3 sits

Upper right
  1. 1 18
  2. 2 17
  3. 3 16
  4. 4 15
  5. 5 14
  6. 6 13
  7. 7 12
  8. 8 11
  9. 9 21
  10. 10 22
  11. 11 23
  12. 12 24
  13. 13 25
  14. 14 26
  15. 15 27
  16. 16 28
Upper left
Lower right
  1. 32 48
  2. 31 47
  3. 30 46
  4. 29 45
  5. 28 44
  6. 27 43
  7. 26 42
  8. 25 41
  9. 24 31
  10. 23 32
  11. 22 33
  12. 21 34
  13. 20 35
  14. 19 36
  15. 18 37
  16. 17 38
Lower left