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Click Here To Download Cheat Sheet!!!
Click Here To Download Cheat Sheet!!!
Click Here To Download Cheat Sheet!!!
Being super type-A, school was always easy for me...but when
I got to dental school...it was a rude awakening! I was so
overwhelmed, and I needed more support my first year. I felt
so adamant about this, that my second year of dental school
I started a study group for first years. I loved it so much, I
continued hosting review sessions until I graduated dental
school. I'm so passionate about helping students feel less
overwhelmed and learn how to make studying more efficient!
I can't wait to help you in your journey too! Let's get into it
and identify permanent teeth in just 5 easy steps!
Prefer to watch a video along
side this cheat sheet?
Click here to a watch video explaining these 5 steps
As you answer these questions, you get closer and closer to the
correct answer. Almost like you are following a path to the
correct answer...
*note: Traits of TYPICAL/IDEAL teeth are used in this guide. There are variations in teeth that are not included in this guide because
tooth identification tests usually only include ideal teeth / teeth with typical traits only.
Step 4/ Step 5
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3
M vs D and F vs L
Class of Tooth Max vs Man Type of Tooth
R vs L
Maxillary RIGHT Central Incisor
Maxillary CENTRAL Incisor Maxillary LEFT Central Incisor
MAXILLARY Incisor Maxillary RIGHT Lateral Incisor
Maxillary LATERAL Incisor Maxillary LEFT Lateral Incisor
INCISOR
Mandibular CENTRAL Incisor Mandibular RIGHT Central Incisor
Mandibular LEFT Central Incisor
MANDIBULAR Incisor
Mandibular LATERAL Incisor Mandibular RIGHT Lateral Incisor
Mandibular LEFT Lateral Incisor
Maxillary RIGHT Canine
MAXILLARY Canine Maxillary Canine Maxillary LEFT Canine
CANINE
Mandibular RIGHT Canine
MANDIBULAR Canine Mandibular Canine Mandibular LEFT Canine
Maxillary RIGHT 1st Premolar
???
Maxillary 1st Premolar Maxillary LEFT 1st Premolar
MAXILLARY Premolar Maxillary RIGHT 2nd Premolar
Maxillary 2nd Premolar
PREMOLAR Maxillary LEFT 2nd Premolar
Mandibular RIGHT 1st Premolar
Mandibular 1st Premolar Mandibular LEFT 1st Premolar
MANDIBULAR Premolar
Mandibular 2nd Premolar Mandibular RIGHT 2nd Premolar
Mandibular LEFT 2nd Premoalr
Maxillary RIGHT 1st Molar
Maxillary 1st Molar Maxillary LEFT 1st Molar
Maxillary RIGHT 2nd Molar
MAXILLARY Molar Maxillary 2nd Molar Maxillary LEFT 2nd Molar
Maxillary RIGHT 3rd Molar
Maxillary 3rd Molar
MOLAR Maxillary LEFT 3rd Molar
Mandibular 1st Molar Mandibular RIGHT 1st Molar
Mandibular LEFT 1st Molar
MANDIBULAR Molar Mandibular 2nd Molar Mandibular RIGHT 2nd Molar
Mandibular LEFT 2nd Molar
Mandibular 3rd Molar Mandibular RIGHT 3rd Molar
Mandibular LEFT 3rd Molar
Step 1
What Class of Tooth is it?
Is this tooth an Incisor, Canine, Premolar, or Molar? To
decide this, look at the number of cusps.
If the tooth has no cusp and the biting edge is flat (aka has
an incisal ridge), it is an Incisor.
If the tooth has 1 cusp, it is a Canine.
If the tooth has 2 or 3 cusps, it is a Premolar.
If the tooth has 4 or more cusps, it is a Molar.
Max Man
Max Man
For Premolars, this is based on the For Molars, this is based on the
lingual tilt of the crown. number of roots.
Cusps of maxillary premolars are Maxillary molars have 3 roots.
centered over the root. Mandibular molars have 2 roots.
Cusps of mandibular premolars
are tilted lingually.
Max Man
Max Man
Step 3
What Type of Tooth is it?
Maxillary Incisors: Central vs Lateral Incisors
The crown of the max central incisor is more
square while the crown of a max lateral incisor is
more rounded overall. Central Lateral
Mandibular Incisors: Central vs Lateral Incisors
The cingulum of the man central incisor is centered
while the cingulum of the man lateral central incisor
is twisted to the distal. Central Lateral
Maxillary Premolars: 1st vs 2nd
The occlusal grooves of the max 1st premolar are
shaped like 2 sideways peace signs and there is a
mesial marginal developmental groove crossing the
mesial marginal ridge while the grooves of the max
1st 2nd
2nd premolar are more in number and raisin like.
Mandibular Premolars: 1st vs 2nd
The man 1st premolar has 2 prominent pits that look
like "snake eyes" while the man 2nd premolar will
have grooves in the H or U shape (2 cusp form) or Y
shape (3 cusp form) without as prominent pits.
1st 2nd
Maxillary Molars: 1st vs 2nd vs 3rd
The max 1st molar has a prominent DL cusp and a cusp of carabelli.
The max 2nd molar has a less prominent DL cusp and usually absent
cusp of carabelli, with less flared roots. The max 3rd molar has a
bulbous crown with converging roots and inconsistent occlusal
anatomy. 3rd molars might still have open apices.
You do this by lining up the mesial side the tooth to the midline of
an imaginary mouth with the facial side facing you. Which ever
side you land in (left or right) is the side of the mouth that tooth is
from. Remember this is the PATIENT'S left and right. Not your left
and right.
Right Left
BONUS TIP: If you are given scratch paper for your test, draw or write
out a chart of teeth with the midline marked so you don't have to use
your imagination for lining teeth up with the midline. You can also use
this chart for quick reference for numbering teeth on your exam.
Using the previous 4 steps/question, you have determined
Example 1: that this is the mandibular 1st molar. But is it the left or
right?
D M Now you know which side is distal and which side is mesial.
Now you know which side is distal and which side is mesial.
D M