ToothNotation

permanent dentition · upper left quadrant

Tooth number 9

In the ADA Universal system, tooth 9 is the upper left central incisor. It is written 21 in FDI notation and └1 in Palmer notation.

Notation

Universal (ADA)
9
FDI (ISO 3950)
21
Palmer
└1
Tooth type
incisor
Arch
upper
Side
left
Position from midline
1 of 8

Surfaces of tooth 9

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.

How tooth 9 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 9 names its mesial, incisal and distal surfaces. Anterior teeth take I, not O. See what MOD means and the full surface reference.

Where tooth 9 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