Your teeth are not all the same. Each type has a different shape, position, and job, from cutting food with your incisors to grinding it with your molars. Knowing the names of your teeth makes dental charts, checkups, and basic oral-health information much easier to understand.
This teeth names chart covers the permanent adult teeth, including incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. It also explains where each type is located, what it does, and how the teeth are arranged in the upper and lower jaws.
Teeth Names Chart: Quick Overview
| Tooth Type | Number in Adults | Main Location | Main Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central incisors | 4 | Front of the mouth | Cutting and biting |
| Lateral incisors | 4 | Beside central incisors | Cutting and tearing |
| Canines | 4 | Beside lateral incisors | Tearing food |
| First premolars | 4 | Behind canines | Crushing and chewing |
| Second premolars | 4 | Behind first premolars | Crushing and chewing |
| First molars | 4 | Back teeth | Grinding |
| Second molars | 4 | Back teeth | Grinding |
| Third molars | 4 | Furthest back | Grinding; commonly called wisdom teeth |
Total permanent teeth: 32
32 Permanent Teeth Names
The adult human mouth normally contains 32 permanent teeth. These are divided evenly between the upper jaw, called the maxilla, and the lower jaw, called the mandible.
Each jaw normally has 16 permanent teeth:
- 4 incisors
- 2 canines
- 4 premolars
- 6 molars
1. Central Incisors
There are four central incisors: two upper and two lower.
- Upper right central incisor
- Upper left central incisor
- Lower right central incisor
- Lower left central incisor
These are the two front teeth in each jaw. Their relatively flat, sharp edges are designed mainly for biting and cutting food.
2. Lateral Incisors
There are four lateral incisors, positioned immediately beside the central incisors.
- Upper right lateral incisor
- Upper left lateral incisor
- Lower right lateral incisor
- Lower left lateral incisor
They help bite and cut food. The upper lateral incisors are usually smaller than the upper central incisors.
3. Canines
There are four canines, also called cuspids.
- Upper right canine
- Upper left canine
- Lower right canine
- Lower left canine
Canines sit between the incisors and premolars. Their pointed shape helps grip and tear food.
4. First Premolars
There are four first premolars.
- Upper right first premolar
- Upper left first premolar
- Lower right first premolar
- Lower left first premolar
Premolars are located behind the canines. Their broader chewing surfaces help crush and break food into smaller pieces.
5. Second Premolars
There are four second premolars.
- Upper right second premolar
- Upper left second premolar
- Lower right second premolar
- Lower left second premolar
They sit directly behind the first premolars and work mainly in crushing and chewing.
6. First Molars
There are four first molars.
- Upper right first molar
- Upper left first molar
- Lower right first molar
- Lower left first molar
First molars are large back teeth with broad surfaces. They play an important role in grinding food.
7. Second Molars
There are four second molars.
- Upper right second molar
- Upper left second molar
- Lower right second molar
- Lower left second molar
They are positioned behind the first molars and continue the grinding and chewing work.
8. Third Molars
There are four third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth.
- Upper right third molar
- Upper left third molar
- Lower right third molar
- Lower left third molar
They are the teeth farthest toward the back of the mouth. Not everyone develops all four wisdom teeth, and some people have them removed because of crowding, impaction, or other dental concerns.
Teeth Names by Type
One of the easiest ways to learn the teeth names chart is to group the teeth by their basic type.
Incisors
There are 8 incisors in a complete adult set.
- 4 central incisors
- 4 lateral incisors
Their primary job is biting and cutting.
Canines
There are 4 canines.
- 2 upper canines
- 2 lower canines
They help grip and tear food.
Premolars
There are 8 premolars.
- 4 first premolars
- 4 second premolars
They help crush and break food before swallowing.
Molars
There are 12 molars in a complete adult set.
- 4 first molars
- 4 second molars
- 4 third molars
Molars have broad chewing surfaces and are mainly used for grinding food.
Upper Teeth Names
The upper teeth are located in the maxillary arch, meaning the upper jaw.
From the center of the mouth toward the back, the teeth on each side are:
- Central incisor
- Lateral incisor
- Canine
- First premolar
- Second premolar
- First molar
- Second molar
- Third molar
There are 16 permanent teeth in the upper jaw when all teeth have developed.
Lower Teeth Names
The lower teeth are located in the mandibular arch, or lower jaw.
From the center toward the back on each side, they are:
- Central incisor
- Lateral incisor
- Canine
- First premolar
- Second premolar
- First molar
- Second molar
- Third molar
Like the upper jaw, the lower jaw can contain 16 permanent teeth.
Teeth Names From Front to Back
If you are trying to memorize the order, use this simple sequence:
Central incisor → Lateral incisor → Canine → First premolar → Second premolar → First molar → Second molar → Third molar
This sequence applies to either side of the upper or lower jaw.
The easiest shortcut is to remember the four major groups:
Incisors → Canines → Premolars → Molars
Teeth Names by Function
Each tooth type has a different primary role.
Cutting Teeth
Incisors are the main cutting teeth. Their thin front edges make them useful for biting into foods.
Tearing Teeth
Canines have pointed crowns that help grip and tear food.
Crushing Teeth
Premolars have broader chewing surfaces that help crush food.
Grinding Teeth
Molars have large, strong chewing surfaces designed mainly for grinding food.
This division is useful because tooth shape generally matches its job.
Baby Teeth Names Chart
Children usually have 20 primary teeth, also called baby teeth or deciduous teeth. They are different from the 32 permanent adult teeth because children do not have premolars or third molars in their primary dentition.
| Primary Tooth Type | Number | Main Role |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisors | 8 | Biting |
| Lateral incisors | 4 | Biting |
| Canines | 4 | Tearing |
| First molars | 4 | Chewing |
| Second molars | 4 | Grinding |
Total primary teeth: 20
The 20 primary teeth eventually make way for permanent teeth as a child grows.
Primary Teeth Names From Front to Back
On each side of the upper and lower jaw, the primary teeth generally appear in this order:
- Central incisor
- Lateral incisor
- Canine
- First molar
- Second molar
A useful difference to remember is that primary teeth have no premolars or wisdom teeth.
The permanent premolars develop later and replace the primary molars.
Tooth Numbering Systems
Dentists may use numbers or letters to identify individual teeth instead of saying the full tooth name.
In the United States, the Universal Numbering System is commonly used for permanent teeth. Permanent teeth are numbered from 1 through 32, starting with the upper right third molar, moving across the upper teeth, then continuing around the lower teeth.
For example:
- Tooth #1 — upper right third molar
- Tooth #8 — upper right central incisor
- Tooth #9 — upper left central incisor
- Tooth #16 — upper left third molar
- Tooth #17 — lower left third molar
- Tooth #24 — lower left central incisor
- Tooth #25 — lower right central incisor
- Tooth #32 — lower right third molar
The exact numbering system can vary by country, so dental records outside the United States may use another system, such as the FDI two-digit system.
How to Read a Dental Chart
A dental chart becomes easier to understand once you know three things: jaw, side, and tooth type.
First, identify whether the tooth is in the upper or lower jaw. Next, determine whether it is on the patient’s right or left side. Finally, identify the tooth by its position from the center.
For example, a tooth described as an upper left first molar is in the upper jaw, on the patient’s left side, and is the first molar behind the premolars.
One detail can cause confusion: dental professionals usually describe right and left from the patient’s perspective, not the viewer’s perspective.
How to Remember the Teeth Names
You do not need to memorize all 32 teeth individually at once. Learn the pattern first.
Start with the four main groups:
8 incisors + 4 canines + 8 premolars + 12 molars = 32 teeth
Then remember the order from front to back:
Incisor → Canine → Premolar → Molar
Within each group, learn the smaller categories:
- Incisors: central and lateral
- Canines: one type
- Premolars: first and second
- Molars: first, second, and third
This method is much easier than memorizing 32 separate names.
Common Tooth Names and Their Everyday Terms
Some dental terms have familiar everyday names.
| Dental Term | Common Name |
|---|---|
| Central incisor | Front tooth |
| Lateral incisor | Tooth beside the front tooth |
| Canine | Eye tooth or cuspid |
| Premolar | Bicuspids |
| Third molar | Wisdom tooth |
Not every everyday term is used equally often in professional dentistry, but knowing these alternatives can make dental conversations easier to follow.
Tips for Using a Teeth Names Chart
A chart is most useful when you connect the name with its location and function.
Start With Location
Find the center front teeth first. These are the central incisors. Move outward toward the canines, then backward through the premolars and molars.
Learn One Side First
Memorize the eight tooth positions on one side of the mouth. The same basic pattern appears on the other side.
Separate Adult and Baby Teeth
Remember that adults can have 32 permanent teeth, while children normally have 20 primary teeth. The two sets do not have exactly the same tooth types.
Use the Function as a Memory Aid
Think of the teeth as a food-processing sequence:
Cut → Tear → Crush → Grind
That corresponds roughly to:
Incisors → Canines → Premolars → Molars
FAQs:
How many teeth does an adult have?
A complete adult set contains 32 permanent teeth, including four third molars, commonly called wisdom teeth. The 32 are divided into 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars. However, not every adult has all 32 teeth present. Wisdom teeth may never develop, may remain impacted, or may have been removed. For that reason, a person’s actual number of teeth can be lower than 32 while still being completely normal.
What are the four main types of teeth?
The four main types of permanent teeth are incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Incisors are located at the front and mainly cut food. Canines are next to the incisors and help tear food. Premolars sit behind the canines and help crush food. Molars are located toward the back and have broad surfaces designed mainly for grinding. Together, these different shapes allow the teeth to perform different parts of the chewing process.
What are the names of the front teeth?
The front teeth are mainly the central incisors and lateral incisors. There are four incisors in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw, making eight permanent incisors altogether. The central incisors are closest to the center line of the mouth, while the lateral incisors sit immediately beside them. These teeth have relatively thin cutting edges and are mainly used to bite and cut food.
What are the teeth called from front to back?
From the center toward the back, the permanent teeth follow this basic order: central incisor, lateral incisor, canine, first premolar, second premolar, first molar, second molar, and third molar. This pattern occurs on each side of both jaws. Remembering this sequence makes a dental chart much easier to read because you can identify a tooth based on its position rather than trying to memorize every individual tooth separately.
How many teeth do children have?
Children normally develop 20 primary teeth, often called baby teeth. These include 8 incisors, 4 canines, and 8 molars. Primary teeth do not include premolars or third molars. As children grow, the primary teeth are gradually replaced by permanent teeth. The permanent set can contain up to 32 teeth, although wisdom teeth may not develop or may later be removed.
What are wisdom teeth called on a dental chart?
Wisdom teeth are called third molars on a dental chart. There are four possible third molars: upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left. They are the teeth located farthest toward the back of the mouth. In the U.S. Universal Numbering System, they are numbered #1, #16, #17, and #32. Their presence varies from person to person, and some people never develop one or more wisdom teeth.
What is the difference between a premolar and a molar?
Premolars are located between the canines and molars. They generally have smaller chewing surfaces and help crush food. Molars are farther back and usually have larger, broader surfaces that are especially useful for grinding. Adults normally have eight premolars and up to 12 molars, including the third molars. Primary teeth do not have premolars; permanent premolars replace the primary molars as the adult dentition develops.
Conclusion:
Learning the teeth names chart is easier when you focus on position, type, and function instead of memorizing 32 names separately. The permanent set includes incisors, canines, premolars, and molars, each designed for a different part of chewing.
Once you know the front-to-back order and the difference between upper and lower teeth, most dental charts become much easier to understand.
Hello, I’m Preston Morgan, a content creator for Namevoro. My mission is to deliver insightful, accurate, and engaging name suggestions, guiding our audience smoothly toward the ideal choice with well-researched articles.