'TT' (Tikku and Tikku) system: A simple and novel tooth numbering system for permanent and deciduous teeth

Abstract

Several systems for designating and encoding teeth have been used in dentistry for more than 130 years.[1] In our profession, patients are the primary stakeholders. However, the prevailing tooth numbering system, like the Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI), is designed focussing the clinicians and does not include the perspective of patients, who have little idea regarding the depicted number of the tooth to be treated, written on the prescription given to them. Our undergraduate students also often get confused during their clinical work regarding the designated four segments in the current FDI tooth numbering system. This sometimes results in misinterpretation, leading to clinical mishaps. This innovative TT (Tikku and Tikku) system has been designed to fulfil the requirement for a more simpler and coherent system that is self-reflecting and includes the perception of the patients or any other concerned non-dental professional so that they relate easily to this system. Named after its inventors, the TT tooth numbering system has a simple and unique design that can also be implemented for wide clinical and forensic applications.

Keywords

• clinical mishaps
• fdi tooth notation
• stakeholders
• tooth notation
• tooth numbering system