Planning dental work in Los Algodones? Before your appointment at Dental Rubio Group, understand exactly which teeth your dentist is referring to — and why the number of roots matters for your treatment.
When American and Canadian patients arrive at Dental Rubio Group in Los Algodones, many hand us a treatment plan from their dentist back home that reads something like: “Tooth #14 — crown and root canal” or “Tooth #30 — extraction and implant.”
They know something needs to be done. They’re not always sure what tooth that is, or what the treatment actually involves.
This guide covers everything: the teeth numbering system used in the US and Canada, the names and functions of all 32 teeth, and — critically — how many roots each tooth has and why that affects your treatment complexity and cost.
The Teeth Numbering System Used in the US and Canada
American and Canadian dentists use the Universal Numbering System (UNS) — a standardized method that assigns each tooth a number from 1 to 32. Numbering starts at the upper right wisdom tooth and moves clockwise around the mouth.
Here is how the teeth numbering system works:
- Teeth 1–8: Upper right jaw, from wisdom tooth (#1) to central incisor (#8)
- Teeth 9–16: Upper left jaw, from central incisor (#9) to wisdom tooth (#16)
- Teeth 17–24: Lower left jaw, from wisdom tooth (#17) to central incisor (#24)
- Teeth 25–32: Lower right jaw, from central incisor (#25) to wisdom tooth (#32)
So when your dentist in Arizona says “tooth 14,” they mean your upper left first molar — one of the most commonly treated teeth in adults. Tooth 30 is your lower right first molar. Both are three and two-rooted teeth respectively, which is exactly why they’re so commonly flagged for root canals and crowns.
Our doctors at Dental Rubio Group are fully fluent in the Universal Numbering System. When you arrive with a treatment plan from your US or Canadian dentist, we speak the same language from the first appointment.
How Many Teeth Do Adults Have?
Adults have 32 teeth in total — 16 in the upper jaw (maxilla) and 16 in the lower jaw (mandible). This number includes the four wisdom teeth. If your wisdom teeth were removed, you likely have 28.
Your 32 teeth are divided into four types based on shape and function: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Each does a different job in the chewing process, and each has a different number of roots — which directly affects treatment complexity.
Use Our Interactive Teeth Numbering Tool
Not sure which tooth your dentist was referring to? Use the interactive diagram below — click on any of the 32 teeth to see its Universal Number, name, position, number of roots, and the treatments available at Dental Rubio Group.
Tooth Names, Numbers & Functions
Incisors — Teeth #6–11 (central) and #7–10, #23–26 (lateral)
You have 8 incisors total: 4 on top, 4 on the bottom. Each side has a central incisor (the two front teeth) and a lateral incisor just beside it.
Incisors are flat with a sharp edge — their job is cutting food. They’re the most visible teeth in your smile, so they carry significant cosmetic importance. Most incisors have a single root, making them among the more straightforward teeth to treat with root canals or extractions. Bonding, veneers, crowns, and implants on incisors are among the most requested treatments at Dental Rubio.
Teeth numbers for incisors: Upper — #6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 / Lower — #22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 (central incisors are #8, 9, 24, 25)
Canines — Teeth #6, 11, 22, 27
You have 4 canines, one in each corner of your mouth — also called cuspids or “eye teeth.” Their distinctive pointed shape makes them immediately recognizable.
Canines tear food and, critically, stabilize your bite. They have the longest root of any tooth — a single deep root that makes them extremely durable. Because of their strategic position in bite alignment, a missing canine affects how your entire jaw functions. When a canine is lost, our doctors typically prioritize an implant to preserve bite structure.
How many roots: 1 root (the longest single root in the mouth)
Premolars — Teeth #4, 5, 12, 13, 20, 21, 28, 29
You have 8 premolars (also called bicuspids): two on each side of both jaws — a first premolar and a second premolar.
Premolars bridge the gap between the tearing action of canines and the grinding action of molars. Their wide, two-cusped surface handles both functions. Upper first premolars commonly have two roots; most other premolars have one. When premolars are extracted for orthodontic reasons, an implant or bridge is often recommended to prevent shifting.
How many roots: Upper first premolars — 2 roots / All others — 1 root
Molars — Teeth #1–3, 14–19, 30–32
You have up to 12 molars (including wisdom teeth): three on each side of both jaws — first molar, second molar, and third molar (wisdom tooth).
Molars are the grinding workhorses of your mouth. Their broad, four-cusped surface handles the majority of your chewing load. This heavy use makes them the most common teeth to need crowns, root canals, and implants in patients over 55. Molars have the most roots of any teeth:
- Upper molars (first and second): 3 roots — two buccal (cheek-side) roots and one palatal root, often curved
- Lower molars (first and second): 2 roots
- Upper wisdom teeth: 3 roots (often fused or curved)
- Lower wisdom teeth: 2 roots
How many roots: Upper molars — 3 roots / Lower molars — 2 roots
How Many Roots Does Each Tooth Have? (Complete Chart)
This is the question that matters most for treatment planning. The number of roots directly determines:
- Root canal complexity — each root requires its own canal treatment
- Extraction difficulty — more roots mean more retention in the bone
- Healing time — multi-rooted extractions take longer to heal
- Implant planning — single vs. multi-root sites affect bone availability
Here is the complete breakdown by tooth type:
1 root: All incisors (8 teeth) · All canines (4 teeth) · Upper second premolars · Lower first and second premolars · Lower wisdom teeth
2 roots: Upper first premolars · All lower molars (first and second) · Lower wisdom teeth
3 roots: All upper molars — upper first molars, upper second molars, and upper wisdom teeth
Why this matters in practice: If your dentist told you that tooth #3 (upper right first molar) needs a root canal, you now know that means a three-rooted tooth requiring treatment of three separate canals — a more involved procedure than a root canal on tooth #8 (upper right central incisor), which has just one root. Appointment length, cost, and recovery are all different.
Teeth Numbering Quick Reference: All 32 Teeth
| Number | Name | Jaw | Type | Roots |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisdom Tooth | Upper Right | Molar | 3 |
| 2 | Second Molar | Upper Right | Molar | 3 |
| 3 | First Molar | Upper Right | Molar | 3 |
| 4 | Second Premolar | Upper Right | Premolar | 1 |
| 5 | First Premolar | Upper Right | Premolar | 2 |
| 6 | Canine | Upper Right | Canine | 1 |
| 7 | Lateral Incisor | Upper Right | Incisor | 1 |
| 8 | Central Incisor | Upper Right | Incisor | 1 |
| 9 | Central Incisor | Upper Left | Incisor | 1 |
| 10 | Lateral Incisor | Upper Left | Incisor | 1 |
| 11 | Canine | Upper Left | Canine | 1 |
| 12 | First Premolar | Upper Left | Premolar | 2 |
| 13 | Second Premolar | Upper Left | Premolar | 1 |
| 14 | First Molar | Upper Left | Molar | 3 |
| 15 | Second Molar | Upper Left | Molar | 3 |
| 16 | Wisdom Tooth | Upper Left | Molar | 3 |
| 17 | Wisdom Tooth | Lower Left | Molar | 2 |
| 18 | Second Molar | Lower Left | Molar | 2 |
| 19 | First Molar | Lower Left | Molar | 2 |
| 20 | Second Premolar | Lower Left | Premolar | 1 |
| 21 | First Premolar | Lower Left | Premolar | 1 |
| 22 | Canine | Lower Left | Canine | 1 |
| 23 | Lateral Incisor | Lower Left | Incisor | 1 |
| 24 | Central Incisor | Lower Left | Incisor | 1 |
| 25 | Central Incisor | Lower Right | Incisor | 1 |
| 26 | Lateral Incisor | Lower Right | Incisor | 1 |
| 27 | Canine | Lower Right | Canine | 1 |
| 28 | First Premolar | Lower Right | Premolar | 1 |
| 29 | Second Premolar | Lower Right | Premolar | 1 |
| 30 | First Molar | Lower Right | Molar | 2 |
| 31 | Second Molar | Lower Right | Molar | 2 |
| 32 | Wisdom Tooth | Lower Right | Molar | 2 |
What This Means for Your Treatment at Dental Rubio Group
Understanding tooth numbering and root counts isn’t just educational — it gives you real leverage when planning dental tourism.
If your dentist in Yuma, Tucson, or San Diego flagged three teeth for crowns and one for a root canal, you can now look at the teeth numbers and immediately know which are single-rooted (simpler, faster, less expensive) and which are multi-rooted (more involved). You can ask the right questions: How many canals? What crown material? Can both appointments be done in the same trip?
At Dental Rubio Group, we’ve served over 51,000 patients from the US and Canada since 1986. Our team speaks English fluently, reads US and Canadian treatment plans without any translation needed, and uses the same Universal Numbering System your dentist back home uses. Many patients complete crowns, root canals, and implants in a single trip to Los Algodones — saving 50 to 70% compared to US prices, using premium materials including exclusive Straumann implants from Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the teeth numbering system used by US dentists?
American and Canadian dentists use the Universal Numbering System (UNS), which numbers teeth 1 through 32 starting from the upper right wisdom tooth and moving clockwise. It is the standard dental notation in the United States and Canada.
How many roots does tooth #14 have?
Tooth #14 is the upper left first molar. It has 3 roots: two on the cheek side (buccal roots) and one toward the palate (palatal root). This is why root canals on this tooth are more involved than on front teeth.
How many roots does tooth #30 have?
Tooth #30 is the lower right first molar. It has 2 roots — a mesial root toward the front and a distal root toward the back. Root canals on tooth #30 typically involve 3–4 canals total across the two roots.
What tooth has the longest root?
The canines — teeth #6, 11, 22, and 27 — have the longest single root of any tooth. Their deep root is why canines are so durable and why losing one significantly affects bite alignment.
Does the number of roots affect root canal cost?
Yes. A root canal on a single-rooted tooth like a central incisor is shorter and less complex than one on a three-rooted upper molar. At Dental Rubio, our pricing reflects this complexity — and even multi-root canal treatments cost significantly less than in the US or Canada.
My dentist gave me a tooth number but I’m not sure what it means — can Dental Rubio help?
Absolutely. Send us your treatment plan and our team will explain exactly what each tooth number means, what the recommended procedure involves, and what your options are. We respond within hours via email or WhatsApp.
Ready to Save 50–70% on Your Dental Treatment?
Now that you understand your tooth numbers and what your treatment involves, the next step is easy.
Dental Rubio Group is located in Los Algodones, Baja California — steps from the Andrade, California border crossing. We offer free shuttle service from the Yuma area, same-day appointments for new patients, and English-speaking staff throughout your visit.
Fill out the form below and our team will contact you within hours with a personalized treatment quote.
