Wisdom tooth extraction

Sunny_Saver

Hello

My dentist has referred me to an oral surgeon for a wisdom tooth extraction. However, the form says 8L (backwards L).

Does anyone here know if that means upper or lower wisdom? I'm concerned that it means lower, when it's the upper I need extracting.

I don't want to ring the dentist as it sounds stupid.

Thanks.

Toothsmith

If it's a backwards L it will mean upper right.

It's complicated to explain without the symbols - but they're symbols, not letters.

If you draw a cross on a page like an England flag, then imagine that each quarter refers to a different quarter of the mouth as if you're looking at it, so the top left 'box' refers to the top right side of the patients mouth, the bottom right box will refer to the botom left of a patient's mouth, etc. (with me so far?? )

As you're probably aware, the teeth have numbers.

So, if you want to write down 'top left wisdom tooth' the dentist would put an 8 inside a forwards L - the 'L' showing which section of the cross he's refering to. A bottom right wisdom tooth would be 8 with an upside down 'L' round it, and a lower left would be an 8 with an upside down backwards 'L' around it.

Simples!

jugglebug

This is a link to a page with pictures.
It is exactly as toothsmith says.
http://dentalnotationguide.com/notation/palmer-notation-for-a-normal-adult-full-set-of-teeth/

Sunny_Saver

Phew, thank you guys, I was getting worried