Tooth 38 (FDI): mandibular left third molar
Quick answer
- Tooth 38 in FDI is Universal 17 and Palmer LL8: the mandibular left third molar.
The three numbers
| System | Number |
|---|---|
| FDI | 38 |
| Universal | 17 |
| Palmer | LL8 |
About this tooth
- Name
- Mandibular left third molar
- Set
- Adult (permanent)
- Position
- Lower arch, patient left (lower left, quadrant 3)
- Erupts
- 17 to 21 years
- Roots
- 2
- Root canals
- 3 or more
- Crown surfaces
- Mesial, distal, buccal, lingual and occlusal.
- Also written
- #17 (Universal), 3.8 (FDI with a dot), lower left 8, wisdom tooth
Read on 23 October 2026. Sources: American Dental Association, Tooth development charts (primary and permanent); Number of roots and canals, from Ingle's Endodontics; Dental anatomy, citing Ash and Nelson, Wheeler's Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion. Ages and counts are usual figures, and teeth vary from person to person.
On the chart
Teeth next to it
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