THE DENTAL FORMULA FOR HUMANS AND

DIFFERENT DOMESTICATED SPECIES

The number of each type of tooth varies from one species to another and the conventional way of describing them is by a "dental formula". The type of teeth are indicated by the first letter, and the number of teeth on one side of the upper jaw is indicated over the number of the same type of teeth on the lower jaw. Because the formula is for one side of the mouth the total number of teeth is the total in the formula x 2.

The dental formula for different species are as follows where I = incisors, C = canines, P = premolars and M = molars :

Man (adult)

I - 2/2   C - 1/1   P - 2/2   M - 3/3 = 16 x 2 = 32

Dog

a) Puppy (temporary teeth) Not present at birth - but complete by 60 days.

I - 3/3  C - 1/1  P - 3/3  M - 0/0 = 14 x 2 = 28

b) Adult (permanent teeth) - emerge at about 4 months of age

I - 3/3   C - 1/1   P - 4/4   M - 2/3 = 21 x 2 = 42

Cat

a) Kitten (temporary teeth). Not present at birth but complete by 60 days.

I - 3/3   C - 1/1   P - 3/2   M - 0/0 = 13 x 2 = 26

b) Adult (permanent teeth) - emerge at about 4 months of age

I - 3/3  C - 1/1  P - 3/2  M - 1/1 = 15 x 2 = 30

 

Horse

a) Temporary teeth

I - 3/3 C- 0/0   P - 3/3  M - 0/0 = 12 x 2 = 24

b) Adult (permanent teeth)

I - 3/3  C - 1/1   P - 3 or 4/3  M - 3/3 = 20 (or 21) x 2 = 40 (or 42)

Cattle

a) Temporary teeth

I - 0/4  C - 0/0  P - 3/3  M - 0/0 = 10 x 2 = 20

b) Permanent teeth

I - 0/4  C - 0/0  P - 3/3   M - 3/3 = 16 x 2 = 32

In cattle the permanent teeth are not fully erupted until 3.5-4 years of age

Sheep

a) Temporary teeth

I - 0/4  C - 0/0  P - 3/3  M - 0/0 = 10 x 2 = 32

b) Permanent teeth

I - 0/4  C - 0/0  P - 3/3  M - 3/3 = 16 x 2 = 32

In sheep the permanent teeth are not completely erupted until 3.5 - 4 years of age

Pig

a) Temporary teeth

I - 3/3  C - 1/1  P - 4/4  M - 0/0 = 16 x 2 = 32

b) Permanent teeth

I - 3/3  C - 1/1  P - 4/4  M - 3/3 = 22 x 2 = 44

In pigs the permanent teeth are not completely erupted until 16-20 months

 

Last updated : January 2016