What is the standard dental formula for adult dogs?

• A. Incisors 3/3, Canines 1/2, Premolars 4/4, Molars 2/3
• B. Incisors 3/3, Canines 1/1, Premolars 4/4, Molars 2/3
• C. Incisors 3/3, Canines 1/1, Premolars 3/4, Molars 2/3
• D. Incisors 2/3, Canines 1/1, Premolars 4/4, Molars 2/3

Answer: (B)

The standard dental formula expresses how many teeth are in each group on one side of the mouth, for both the upper and lower jaws. For an adult dog, the counts per side are three incisors, one canine, four premolars, and two molars on the upper row, and three incisors, one canine, four premolars, and three molars on the lower row. When written as a formula, that becomes incisors 3/3, canines 1/1, premolars 4/4, molars 2/3. This arrangement reflects the actual arrangement of teeth in adult dogs, totaling 42 teeth overall. The other patterns don’t fit canine dentition—for example, suggesting two canines per side or different counts for incisors or premolars—so they don’t match the true adult dog dentition.