Teeth Names & Functions
Dentists use a lot of specific words. Molars. Incisors. Tooth numbers that sound more like bingo calls than anatomy.
If you’ve ever nodded along during an appointment and thought, “I should probably know what that means,” you’re not alone, and at DPI Dental, we want to help you with this.
Understanding teeth names isn’t just for dental professionals. It helps you follow conversations about your care, ask better questions, and understand why one tooth might need more attention than another.
The Basics: Types of Teeth
Most adults have 32 permanent teeth. They don’t all do the same job, and they aren’t shaped the same way for a reason. Here’s how we dentists group them.
Incisors
These are the teeth you see first when you smile. You have eight in total, four on top and four on the bottom. Their job is simple: biting and cutting food.
Canines
Also called cuspids, these pointed teeth sit next to your incisors. You have four of them, and they’re designed for tearing food. They’re also some of your strongest teeth.
Premolars
Premolars sit behind the canines and help with crushing and grinding. There are eight in total. They have flatter surfaces and act as a transition between tearing and heavy chewing.
Molars
These are the workhorses. Molars handle most of the grinding when you eat, and you have twelve of them if your wisdom teeth are included. Their wide, flat surfaces are built for pressure.
Human Teeth Numbers and Names
We dentists don’t use numbers to confuse you. We use them to be precise.
In the Universal Numbering System, tooth #1 starts at the upper right wisdom tooth and moves across the top row to #16. The count then drops down to the lower left at #17 and finishes at the lower right with #32.
So when a dentist mentions tooth #19, they’re not being cryptic. They’re referring to a specific tooth, in this case the first molar on the lower left.
It keeps our records clear and avoids misunderstandings, especially when planning treatment.
Why Every Tooth Matters
Teeth don’t work alone. They function as a system; a missing or damaged tooth can change how you chew, how your bite lines up, and even how your jaw feels over time.
That’s why we dentists pay attention to more than just the tooth that hurts, and why knowing teeth names helps you understand what’s being discussed.
So, next time you’re looking at a human teeth diagram, pay closer attention. You’ll see how everything connects, and you’ll understand why dental health is so important.
Book An Appointment With The Experts
Knowing the names of your teeth won’t make you a dentist, but it will make you feel more at ease when you talk about your care and go to appointments.
At DPI Dental, we take the time to explain everything you need to know to understand the procedure. Whether you’re here for a cleaning, a filling, or something more involved, you should always know what we’re talking about and why it matters.
Book an appointment with us today. You don’t need to know all the teeth names; you just need to know you can trust us.
FAQ's
What’s the difference between baby teeth and adult teeth?
Baby teeth are smaller, whiter, and fewer. They fall out. Adult teeth? Bigger, stronger, and (ideally) forever, and if that’s not the case, we have dental implants to solve that.
Do teeth names change if I get a dental implant?
Nope. Even with an implant, your dentist still calls it by the original name and number.
How are teeth named if I wear a partial denture?
Dentists stick with the usual names. The denture just fills the gaps between your existing teeth; it doesn’t rename anything. If anything, knowing which teeth your denture is replacing helps dentists understand it better, even over the phone.
Do baby teeth have different names from adult teeth?
Same categories—incisors, molars, canines—but dentists use letters (A–T) for kids instead of numbers.
Why are wisdom teeth called that?
Because they show up late, around age 17 to 25, when you’re older.