What are the Surfaces of a Tooth? Learn the 5 Dental Surfaces Every Future Dentist Needs to Know

Summary

In this video, Dr. Clara, a practicing dentist, explains the five surfaces of a tooth, essential knowledge for dental students. She covers the **facial** (labial/buccal), **lingual** (palatal for maxillary teeth), **incisal** (anterior teeth), **occlusal** (posterior teeth), and **proximal** (mesial and distal) surfaces. Dr. Clara also highlights important exceptions, such as how the mesial surfaces of two central incisors touch each other, and the distal surface of the most posterior teeth doesn't contact any neighboring teeth. This quick overview helps students grasp these key concepts easily and efficiently.

Takeaways

• 😀 Each tooth has five distinct surfaces that are named for their location or function.
• 😀 The **facial surface** is the outer surface of a tooth, facing either the cheek (buccal) or lips (labial).
• 😀 For **posterior teeth** (molars and premolars), the facial surface is often called the **buccal surface**, since it faces the cheek.
• 😀 For **anterior teeth** (incisors and canines), the facial surface is referred to as the **labial surface**, as it faces the lips.
• 😀 The **lingual surface** faces the **tongue**, and is called the palatal surface for maxillary (upper) teeth, as it faces the roof of the mouth (palate).
• 😀 The **incisal surface** is the biting surface of **anterior teeth** (incisors and canines).
• 😀 The **occlusal surface** is found on **posterior teeth** (molars and premolars) and is used for **chewing**.
• 😀 **Proximal surfaces** refer to the sides of a tooth that face its adjacent teeth in the same arch.
• 😀 The **mesial surface** is the proximal surface closest to the midline of the mouth, while the **distal surface** is the side away from the midline.
• 😀 In an ideal bite, the **mesial surface** of one tooth contacts the **distal surface** of the next tooth, with two exceptions: central incisors and the most posterior tooth.
• 😀 The central incisors have **mesial surfaces** that contact each other at the midline, and the most posterior tooth (second or third molars) has a **distal surface** that does not touch any tooth.

Q & A

What are the five surfaces of a tooth?

The five surfaces of a tooth are the facial, lingual, incisal/occlusal, proximal (mesial and distal) surfaces.

What is the facial surface of a tooth?

The facial surface is the outer surface of the tooth that faces the outside of the dental arch. For posterior teeth, this is also called the buccal surface, while for anterior teeth, it is called the labial surface.

What is the difference between the buccal and labial surfaces?

The buccal surface refers to the facial surface of posterior teeth, facing the cheeks, while the labial surface refers to the facial surface of anterior teeth, facing the lips.

What is the lingual surface of a tooth?

The lingual surface is the surface of a tooth that faces the tongue. It is called 'lingual' because it faces the tongue.

What is the palatal surface of a tooth?

The palatal surface refers to the lingual surface of maxillary teeth because it faces the palate or roof of the mouth.

What is the incisal surface of a tooth?

The incisal surface is the surface of the anterior teeth (incisors and canines) that is used for biting.

What is the occlusal surface of a tooth?

The occlusal surface is the surface of the posterior teeth (molars and pre-molars) used for chewing, facing the opposite teeth.

What is the proximal surface of a tooth?

The proximal surface is the surface of a tooth that faces a neighboring tooth in the same arch, and it is the area you should floss.

What are the mesial and distal surfaces?

The mesial surface is the proximal surface of a tooth that is closer to the midline of the mouth, while the distal surface is the proximal surface facing away from the midline.

What are the two exceptions to the mesial-distal surface contact rule?

The two exceptions are: 1) The mesial surfaces of the central incisors touching each other, and 2) The distal surface of the most posterior tooth, like the second or third molar, which does not touch any neighboring tooth.