Tooth Surface Terminology

The crown of each tooth has five tooth surfaces. However, there are more than five terms that can be used. Some terms apply to specific surfaces of particular groups of teeth while other terms are more collective. The five views of an anterior tooth (maxillary incisor) and a posterior tooth (mandibular molar) are shown below.

 

incisor_surfaces.jpg

molar_surfaces.jpg

 

These examples illustrate one of the differences in terminology between anterior and posterior teeth. The "biting" surface of an anterior tooth is the "incisal" surface while the biting surface of a posterior tooth is called the "occlusal" surface. A more detailed explanation of the terms follows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tooth_surfaces2HB_Image.jpg

Vestibular or Facial

Buccal

Labial

Palatal

Lingual

Mesial

Distal

 

 Link to Video File 

Click on the movie icon above to view tooth surfaces terminology.


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