Tooth number 4

In the ADA Universal system, tooth 4 is the upper right second premolar. It is written 15 in FDI notation and 5┘ in Palmer notation.

Notation

Universal (ADA)
4
FDI (ISO 3950)
15
Palmer
5┘
Tooth type
premolar
Arch
upper
Side
right
Position from midline
5 of 8

Surfaces of tooth 4

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 4 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 4 names its mesial, occlusal and distal surfaces together — the pattern usually written MOD. See what MOD means and the full surface reference.

Where tooth 4 sits