Assessment Step 8: Normal Anatomy and Oral Pathology

Precisely recording abnormalities is essential to diagnosing oral diseases and conditions and developing an appropriate treatment and prevention plan. Be sure to note any signs of disease accurately on a dental chart.

Naming and Numbering Canine Adult Teeth

Dogs have three incisors, one canine, four premolars and three molars on each side of the mandibular arcades and three incisors, one canine, four premolars and two molars on each side of the maxillary arcades.

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Mandibular

Maxillary

Canine and feline teeth have a numbering system, divided into four quadrants.

Right upper = 100s
Left upper = 200s
Left lower = 300s
Right lower = 400s

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Mandibular

Maxillary

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Naming and Numbering Feline Adult Teeth

Feline teeth are named and numbered in the same way as canine teeth. Cats have three incisors, one canine, two premolars (3rd and 4th) and one molar in the mandibular arcades and three incisors, one canine, three premolars (2nd, 3rd and 4th) and one molar in the maxillary arcade on each side of the mouth.

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Mandibular

Maxillary

The same four-quadrant numbering system used for canine teeth is also applicable to feline teeth.

Right upper = 100s
Left upper = 200s
Left lower = 300s
Right lower = 400s

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Mandibular

Maxillary

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Puppies and Kittens

Secondary teeth are numbered sequentially from 100 to 400. Deciduous (primary) teeth are numbered sequentially from 500 to 800. The quadrants are assigned as follows:

Right upper = 500s
Left upper = 600s
Left lower = 700s
Right lower = 800s

There are no deciduous first premolars or molars in puppies and kittens. The primary teeth caudal to the canine teeth are numbered *06, *07, *08 (i.e., 2nd, 3rd and 4th premolars). In kittens, the maxillary dental arcade distal to the primary canine teeth is numbered *06, *07, *08 (i.e., 2nd, 3rd and 4th premolars), while the mandibular dental arcade is numbered *07, *08 (i.e., 3rd and 4th premolars only).