There are many dental terms that people may not be familiar with. In this article, we will discuss one of the most important terms: teeth surfaces. The teeth surfaces include distal, mesial, buccal, lingual, labial, occlusal, and incisal. Each surface has a different name and function. Knowing these surfaces can help patients better understand their dental health and what to expect when they visit the dentist.
Quick Overview of Teeth Surfaces:
| Surface Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Distal | The back surface of the tooth, away from the midline of the face. |
| Mesial | The front surface of the tooth, towards the midline of the face. |
| Buccal | The cheek side of the tooth. |
| Lingual | The tongue side of the tooth. |
| Labial | The lip side of the tooth. |
| Vestibular | The surface of the tooth facing the inside of the lips or cheeks. |
| Occlusal | The chewing surface of the back teeth. |
| Incisal | The biting edge of the front teeth. |
Distal vs Mesial
Mesial Tooth Surface: Blue
The distal and mesial surfaces are the most commonly confused teeth surfaces. Both surfaces are located on the sides of the teeth, aka the surfaces where two teeth touch each other. This is the location where people are instructed to floss their teeth.
The distal surface is the back surface of the tooth and is away from the midline of the face. This is highlighted in green in the diagram above.
The mesial surface is the front surface of the tooth and is towards the midline of the face. This is highlighted in blue in the diagram above.
Lingual vs Buccal and Labial
Buccal Tooth Surface: Blue
Labial Tooth Surface: Red
These teeth surfaces are used to describe the surfaces of the teeth that are either facing towards the tongue or away from the tongue.
The lingual surface is the tongue side of the teeth and is highlighted in green in the diagram above. It is named lingual because the word can be broken down from the Latin roots “ling” meaning tongue and “ual” meaning pertaining to.
The buccal surface is the cheek side of teeth and is highlighted in blue in the diagram above. It is named buccal because the word can be broken down from the Latin root “bucca” meaning cheek. The labial surface is the lip side of teeth and is highlighted in red in the diagram above. It is named labial because the word can be broken down from the Latin root “labium” meaning lip. Both buccal and labial surfaces can also be referred to as vestibular surfaces as they follow an invisible line in the mouth known as the vestibule.
Occlusal and Incisal
Incisal Tooth Surface: Blue
The occlusal and incisal surfaces are the teeth surfaces that are used for biting and chewing. They are located on the top surface of teeth.
The occlusal surface is the chewing surface of back teeth, such as premolars and molars, and is highlighted in green in the diagram above.
The incisal surface is the biting edge of front teeth, such as incisors and canines, and is highlighted in blue in the diagram above.
Short Forms for Tooth Surfaces
Dentists use shorthand to describe the surfaces of a tooth that are being treated or are affected by decay. Common abbreviations for tooth surfaces are:
- M (Mesial) – the front surface towards the midline.
- O (Occlusal) – the chewing surface.
- D (Distal) – the back surface away from the midline.
- L (Lingual) – the cheek or tongue side.
For example:
MODL: Refers to treatment on the Mesial, Occlusal, Distal, and Lingual surfaces. Below is a preparation of the MODL surfaces of the tooth (simulating cavity removal from the above-mentioned surfaces). It will then be filled with a dental filling material such as composite resin filling or amalgam filling.
DOL: Refers to the treatment of the Distal, Occlusal, and Lingual surfaces. Below is a preparation of the DOL surfaces of the tooth.
MO: Refers to the treatment of the Mesial and Occlusal surfaces. Below is a preparation of the MO surfaces of the tooth.
These shorthand codes help in efficient communication in dental records and treatment plans.
Disclaimer
The contents of this website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be substituted for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nothing on this website constitutes the practice of medicine, law or any other regulated profession.
No two mouths are the same, and each oral situation is unique. As such, it isn’t possible to give comprehensive advice or diagnose oral conditions based on articles alone. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible is to visit a dentist in person for an examination and consultation.
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