Palmer Notation
Definition
A grid-based system where a bracket symbol indicates the quadrant and a number 1-8 (or letter A-E for deciduous) indicates position from midline. The horizontal bar separates arches; the vertical bar separates left and right halves.
- System type
- Grid-based tooth notation
- Permanent teeth
- Numbers 1-8 per quadrant
- Deciduous teeth
- Letters A-E per quadrant
- Symbol structure
- Bracket for quadrant, bar lines for arch/side
Common questions
Why do forensic odontologists need to recognise multiple tooth-numbering systems, not just Palmer?+
Antemortem dental records can originate from any country or era, and a practitioner trained in FDI or Universal notation may record charts differently, so misreading the notation system on a records comparison can misidentify which tooth is being described.
What is a common source of error when converting Palmer notation to another system?+
Confusing the bracket orientation, which encodes left versus right from the patient's perspective rather than the viewer's, is a frequent transcription error when charts are digitised or converted between numbering systems.
Related terms
- FDI Notation
- The two-digit system published by the Federation Dentaire Internationale. The first digit (1-4 for permanent, 5-8 for deciduous) encodes the quadrant; the...
- Midline
- The anatomical midpoint of the dental arch dividing it into left and right halves. In notation systems, position 1 is always the...
- Quadrant
- One of four sections of the dentition: upper right, upper left, lower left, lower right. The midline divides left from right; the...
- Universal Numbering System
- The North American standard. Permanent teeth are numbered 1-32 running clockwise from the maxillary right third molar. Deciduous teeth are lettered A-T...