Universal Shorthand System

Universal Shorthand for the Secondary Dentition

The Universal (American) shorthand numbering system is the shorthand system used in the United States. Common to other numbering systems, teeth in the secondary (permanent) dentition are numbered in a clockwise fashion from the maxillary right third molar (1) to the mandibular right third molar (32). This system does not use quadrant numbering but uses consecutive numbers from 1 to 32 to number the secondary (permanent) teeth. The mandibular left third molar in the Universal system is 17 and is pronounced "seventeen". The same tooth in the International system is tooth 3.8 and is pronounced tooth "three eight".

Universal Shorthand Permanent Teeth Table.png

 

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Universal Shorthand Numbering System for the Primary Dentition

The Universal shorthand system for the primary dentition uses capital letters from A-T and follows the same pattern as the secondary (permanent) dentition. The primary maxillary right second molar is represented by the letter A and continues alphabetically in a clockwise fashion to the mandibular right second molar which is represented by the letter T.

Universal Shorthand Primary Teeth Table.png

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