Baby tooth C is the upper right canine in the baby (primary) teeth. In the FDI (ISO 3950) system it is 53, and in Palmer notation it is C┘. It usually comes in at 16-22 mos and falls out at 10-12 yrs.
Tooth C at a glance
| Universal (US) | C |
| FDI / ISO 3950 | 53 |
| Palmer | C┘ |
| Name | Upper right canine |
| Type | Canine (baby tooth) |
| Jaw | Upper (maxilla) |
| Side | Patient’s right |
| Comes in | 16-22 mos |
| Falls out | 10-12 yrs |
| Roots | 1 |
| Root canals (usual) | 1 |
| Chewing surface | 1 pointed cusp |
Where it is and what it does
It sits in the upper jaw on the patient’s right side, at the corner of the mouth, third from the midline. Baby canines help tear food and guide the jaw. They also hold space for the adult canine, one of the last front teeth to come in.
Neighbouring and related teeth
- In front of it (toward the midline): Baby tooth D, the upper right lateral incisor
- Behind it: Baby tooth B, the upper right first molar
- Same tooth on the other side: Baby tooth H
- The matching tooth in the lower jaw: Baby tooth R
- Replaced by: Tooth number 6, the upper right canine
Common dental work on this tooth
Baby front teeth can be affected by early childhood tooth decay and by knocks and falls. A dentist may treat decay with a filling or, if a tooth is badly damaged, remove it.
Questions
What tooth is letter C?
Baby tooth C is the upper right canine (a baby tooth). Letters A to T are used for baby teeth in the Universal system used in the United States.
What is baby tooth C in the FDI and Palmer systems?
In FDI it is 53, said digit by digit (“five-three”). The first digit is the quadrant and the second is the position from the midline. In Palmer notation it is C┘.
When does baby tooth C fall out?
Usually at about 10-12 yrs, when the adult upper right canine pushes it out from underneath. It first comes in at about 16-22 mos.
For education only. This is not dental advice; your dentist can tell you what is right for your own teeth.