Surfaces of the Teeth

When identifying teeth and referring to specific areas of a tooth, it is necessary to utilize named surfaces and directions designated according to where it is located. Teeth also have number/letter designations. There are several types of designation/identification systems, but the most common is the Universal System where the permanent dentition is numbered from 1-32 beginning with the maxillary right third molar.

• Distal – The surface that is away from the midline of the face.

• Facial – The surface that faces the cheeks or lips. Can also use the terms:

  • Labial – The surface towards the lips.

  • Buccal – The surface towards the cheeks.

• Incisal – The biting edge of an anterior tooth.

• Lingual – The surface that faces the tongue.

• Mesial – The surface that is closest to the midline of the face.

• Occlusal– The chewing surface of posterior teeth.

• Proximal – Tooth surfaces that are next to each other (e.g., distal of lateral incisor and mesial of canine).

Figure 6. Surfaces of the Teeth.

Figure 6. Surfaces of the Teeth.

Mutiple surfaces and directions may be utilized to specify a certain area of a tooth. An example of this is the mesio-lingual surface of #3. This particular example is referring to the surface of the Maxillary right 1st molar, that is closest to the front of the mouth and on the tongue side of the tooth.