Tooth number 10 is the upper left lateral incisor, a permanent (adult) tooth. In the FDI (ISO 3950) system it is 22, and in Palmer notation it is └2.
Tooth #10 at a glance
| Universal (US) | 10 |
| FDI / ISO 3950 | 22 |
| Palmer | └2 |
| Name | Upper left lateral incisor |
| Type | Lateral incisor (adult tooth) |
| Jaw | Upper (maxilla) |
| Side | Patient’s left |
| Comes in | 8-9 yrs |
| Roots | 1 |
| Root canals (usual) | 1 |
| Chewing surface | An incisal edge |
Where it is and what it does
It sits in the upper jaw on the patient’s left side, second from the midline, beside the central incisor. Incisors are cutting teeth. Their thin, flat edges bite through food, and they matter a lot for speech and for how a smile looks.
Neighbouring and related teeth
- In front of it (toward the midline): Tooth number 9, the upper left central incisor
- Behind it: Tooth number 11, the upper left canine
- Same tooth on the other side: Tooth number 7
- The matching tooth in the lower jaw: Tooth number 23
- Replaces: Baby tooth G, the baby upper left lateral incisor
Common dental work on this tooth
Front teeth are often chipped or knocked. Common treatments include bonding (tooth-coloured filling material), veneers, crowns and, after an injury that reaches the nerve, a root canal.
Questions
What tooth is number 10?
Tooth number 10 is the upper left lateral incisor. Numbers 1 to 32 are used for adult teeth in the Universal system used in the United States, starting with the upper right wisdom tooth.
What is tooth number 10 in the FDI and Palmer systems?
In FDI it is 22, said digit by digit (“two-two”). The first digit is the quadrant and the second is the position from the midline. In Palmer notation it is └2.
When does tooth 10 come in?
Usually at about 8-9 yrs. Timing varies from person to person.
For education only. This is not dental advice; your dentist can tell you what is right for your own teeth.