Dentists split the interior of your mouth into four sections or quadrants. The upper portions of your mouth are the first two quadrants, while the lower portions are the third and fourth ones.
The dentist's scoring between 0 to 4 indicates zero being the best you can get meaning your gums are in excellent condition, and four indicate gum disease. The numbers you hear your dentist calling are the depths of the pockets around the teeth in millimeters. Smaller, tighter pockets usually mean healthier gums.
Number 3: 1st Molar. Number 4: 2nd Bicuspid also known as 2nd premolar. Number 5: 1st Bicuspid or 1st premolar. Number 6: Cuspid or canine.
4 indicates gum disease, if you are diagnosed with gum disease we can work with you to create a thorough plan on how to best treat this.
A larger or a higher number indicates that you have gum issues such as plaque and tartar buildup. If you hear numbers of 0 or 1, you are doing pretty well. 2 and 3 means we need to work on your gums a little more and 4 will require some deeper cleaning and closer monitoring.
If you score 0-3's then routine scaling and oral hygiene is generally all that is needed.
0 to 3 mm without bleeding: Congratulations! No issues! 1 to 3 mm with bleeding: This is gingivitis which is the mildest form of gum disease. Usually, a good cleaning coupled with improved oral self-care is all that is needed. 3 to 5 mm with no bleeding: There is a strong potential for gum disease.
What Do The Numbers Mean? During the measuring process, you'll hear us say numbers ranging from 1 to 7, and sometimes more. These numbers reflect how deep your gum pockets are in millimeters. Anything between 1 and 3 is a good indicator that your gums are healthy.
The system involves numbering the labial/buccal surfaces as 1, the mesial surfaces as 2, the lingual surfaces as 3, the distal surfaces as 4, and the occlusal surfaces as 5.
Teeth Numbers
To break this down, a number is used to denote a specific tooth. These are numbered according to the internationally designed two-digit FDI (Federation Dentaire Internationale) numbering system that is used by dentists, not just in Australia. Every tooth has a two-digit number assigned to it.
With a 3/4 ceramic/porcelain crown, the entire biting surface of the tooth is covered with either ceramic or porcelain, along with a portion of the tooth that rests alongside the tongue.
SEVERE / Grade 4
Severe tartar formation and gum disease is present. Toxic debris and inflammation have caused extensive tissue death. Roots are infected, abscessed, and rotten. The thin wall of bone surrounding teeth has deteriorated, and many teeth are loose.
6=First molar. 7=Second molar. 8=Third molar or wisdom tooth. Your dentist may call out these numbers at the start of your visit as he or she inspects your teeth and enlists the dental assistant's help in charting your results.
The answer is “yes,” but there's a catch. Only the first stage of gum disease, known as “gingivitis” can be reversed. After it progresses into the second stage (periodontitis), it's no longer possible to completely eliminate it.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your gum health is to brush your teeth regularly. But it is crucial to make sure you are brushing well. Effective brushing will adequately remove food particles and plaque buildup and help stimulate gum recovery.
Classifications of Gummy Smiles
Mild – less than 25% of the length of your teeth is covered by gums. Moderate – between 25% and 50% of the length is gum tissue. Advanced – from 50% to 100% of the total length are gums. Severe – if the gum tissue is greater than 100%, it is considered severe.
The first thing to realize is dentists use a two-digit numbering system. So the upper right teeth begin with the number “1” (i.e. 11), the upper left teeth begin with the number “2” (i.e. 21), the lower left teeth begin with the number “3” (i.e. 31), and the lower right teeth begin with the number “4” (i.e. 41).
Dental professionals often refer to this approach as the 3-3-3 method, as it requires the use of three Advil, three times per day, across a total of three days. If swelling and pain do not subside in this period of time, meet with a dentist for professional treatment.
Universal method – starting at the rear right upper molar and preceding to the rear left upper molar, teeth are numbered 1 to 16. Then, the bottom teeth are numbered from left to right 17 to 32. This numbering system allows for all 32 teeth, including wisdom teeth, to be present.
Healthy gum tissue typically has pockets measuring 1-3 millimeters and fits snugly around your tooth. Measurements of 4 millimeters and deeper are concerning since plaque and bacteria could be causing the tissue to inflame and pull away from the tooth. Areas with higher readings are often more sensitive to probing.
Stage 3: Moderate Periodontitis
Gum recession can make the teeth sensitive and uncomfortable. As the gums pull away from the teeth, the teeth lose their natural support system and they can become loose.
Advanced periodontitis is the fifth and final stage of gum disease, and it is likely that you will lose teeth or at least loosen teeth during this phase without immediate dental intervention. The infection impacts the jawbone, so teeth may be lost regardless.