universal tooth coding system, (in dentistry) a tooth-numbering system in which the secondary teeth are numbered from 1 (the maxillary right third molar) to 32 (the mandibular right third molar). The primary teeth are similarly numbered from 1 to 20, with the numbers preceded by the letter D (for deciduous). The universal tooth coding system is similar to the American Dental Association (ADA) numbering system, except that the latter uses the letters A to T to identify the deciduous teeth. See also FDI numbering system, Palmer notation.
