numbers

Silenceisbliss

also, another question...

when the Dentist is proding away and inspecting, she always calls out numbers to her assistant, something like: "2 is there" or "5"....theres no perticular order or anything as far as i can tell...

whats that all about????

Burial

AFAIK, it's for a different set of teeth. Like Back-Molars are number 5/6. Then your sharp one [Can't remember the name] are for eating meat, they'd be 2 and your front ones would be 1. It goes something like that I believe...

Silenceisbliss

so they're just seeing if you have all your teeth??...jeez I coulda told them that like

Burial

No, there checking to see if there is any abnormality or any decay in the tooth's structure/surface. Thats why they say number 2 good. etc etc. They are just checking them and the number thing is so the helper person can write down where the problem area is on your file if there is any.

Silenceisbliss

ah, okay cheers

Burial

No problem, but keep in mind thats what I figured it meant. I'm not a dentist or anything like that...

deisemum

The numbers refer to the name of each tooth.

In each quadrant as in upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left the teeth are numbered 1 to 8, ie your first big molar on the right hand side is called upper right 6.

Front teeth or incisors are numbered 1 and 2, then canine is 3, premolars 4 and 5, molars are 6, 7 and 8 for each quadrant.

Then each tooth has a number of different surfaces such as M O D

BryanL

Teeth are referred to by numbers, but so are the depths of the pockets between the teeth and the gums.
Normally this pocket is less than 3mm anyhting over that would indicate the presence of or damage from gum disease.
Bryan