Dental Anatomy: Tooth Surfaces

Tooth Surfaces

Introduction

• Each tooth has five surfaces with specific names.

Facial Surface

• Faces the outside of the dental arch.
  • Posterior Teeth (Molars and Premolars): Also called the buccal surface (buccal means cheek).
  • Anterior Teeth (Incisors and Canines): Also called the labial surface (labial means lips).

Lingual Surface

• Faces the inside of the dental arch or the tongue.
  • Lingual means tongue.
  • Maxillary Teeth: Also called the palatal surface because it faces the palate or the roof of the mouth.

Incisal Surface

• Surface of the anterior teeth that faces the teeth of the opposite jaw.
• Used for biting.

Occlusal Surface

• Surface of the posterior teeth that faces the teeth of the opposite arch.
• Used for chewing.

Proximal Surface

• Faces towards a neighboring or adjacent tooth in the same arch.
• This is the surface that should be flossed.
  • Mesial Surface: The proximal surface closer to the midline or center of the face and mouth.
  • Distal Surface: The proximal surface facing away from the midline.
• In an ideal mouth, the mesial surface of one tooth contacts (touches) the distal surface of the adjacent tooth.

Exceptions

• Midline: At the midline, the central incisors touch each other (left and right central incisors).
  • Two mesial surfaces are touching each other (both maxillary and mandibular).
• Most Posterior Tooth: Could be the second or third molar.
  • The distal surface isn't touching any tooth.

Summary of Tooth Surfaces

• Facial Surface: Also called labial or buccal.
• Lingual Surface: Also called palatal for the maxillary teeth.
• Proximal Surfaces: Mesial and distal.
• Occlusal or Incisal Surface