Where is the proximal surface of the tooth?
The mesial and distal surfaces together form the proximal surfaces. In other words, the proximal surface means the mesial or distal surface.
Dental caries often begins in the proximal area. Bite-wing radiography examines this surface and its caries. Dental floss is essential to clean this area of dental plaque and prevent caries.
Depending on whether or not there is a dental papilla in this area, an interdental brush or even a single-tufted toothbrush may be used instead of dental floss to clean this area.
What is the proximal of the tooth?
The surface between two adjacent teeth is called the proximal surface of a tooth.
The maxillary premolars and mandibular anterior teeth have a root concavity in the proximal area. Root concavity is more common in the maxilla than the mandible and manifests earlier in destructive diseases.
The distal part of the mesial root of the first and second molars has a depression below the furcation surface, which Aburas and Glick described as a danger zone.
This depression decreases the thickness of the dentin from the outer surface of the mandible’s mesial root canals to the root’s outer surface.
A wedge is placed before preparation to protect the adjacent tooth from damage. After the preparation, a matrix strip creates good contact with the neighboring tooth and corrects the shape.
If the matrix strip is not placed correctly, it will cause an overhang in the proximal area. Overhang causes bone and gum loss, food retention, and increased caries risk.
So, an overhang is a defective restoration and must be replaced.
Where is the facial surface of a tooth?
The surface of a tooth that faces or is adjacent to the lip is called the labial surface. The term labial surface is usually used for the surfaces of the incisors and canines that are immediately adjacent to the lips.
The surface of a tooth that faces or is adjacent to the buccal mucosa is called the buccal surface. The term buccal surface is used for the surfaces of the premolars and molars that are immediately adjacent to the cheek.
The labial and buccal surfaces are collectively known as the tooth’s facial (face) surfaces.
The teeth’ facial surface’s shade darkens progressively from the anterior to the posterior region. The canine tooth has the darkest color in the dental arch. The facial surface of the anterior teeth has developmental grooves, and the facial surface of the posterior teeth has a pit, which is prone to decay.
Suppose the patient does not have orthodontic problems, and we move the patient to a central position. In that case, the upper anterior teeth will cover the facial surface of the lower anterior teeth.
This surface shows dental stains caused by cigarettes, tea, coffee, etc., cleaned by scaling and brushing.
Sometimes, due to an increase in fluoride in drinking water, toothpaste, etc., white or brown stains are formed, called fluorosis, which is in the differential diagnosis with decay.
The upper anterior teeth follow the golden ratio, meaning their length should be slightly greater than their width. For example, this ratio in the upper central tooth is 0.8.
The facial surface of the upper molars is more prone to plaque and tartar accumulation because it is adjacent to the Stenson duct (parotid gland duct).
Sometimes, crown lengthening surgery is required due to cosmetic issues or the placement of a post and a crown. This increases the length of the facial surface and makes it more beautiful, and the edge of the crown is not visible.
Where is the palatal surface of the tooth?
The surface that faces the palate or is adjacent to it is the palatal surface. The term palatal surface is used for the surfaces of the upper jaw teeth (both anterior and posterior teeth) located towards the palate or adjacent to it.
Sometimes, an additional cusp, a talon, is on the upper lateral tooth’s palatal surface. When viewed from above, the lateral tooth with a talon cusp resembles the English letter T.
To treat the root of the upper anterior teeth and prepare the access cavity, we start from the palatal surface; the access cavity is prepared from this surface. The access cavity of the central and lateral teeth is round, and the canine tooth is oval.
What is the Buccal Surface of a Tooth?
A surface of the tooth that faces the outside of the mouth and cheek. The cheeks are located on the buccal surface of the teeth. The labial surface refers to anterior teeth, while the buccal surface refers to posterior teeth.
The term buccal surface is used for posterior teeth, and the term labial surface is used for anterior teeth.
Mesial surface
Each tooth in the mouth’s lateral surfaces contacts the teeth on both sides. The mesial surface is the lateral surface of the tooth close to the midline; in other words, it is located towards the front of the mouth.
Distal Surface
The distal surface is the lateral surface of the tooth furthest from the midline and toward the back of the mouth.
Buccal Surface
The surface of the tooth faces the outside of the mouth and cheek. The cheeks are located on the buccal surface of the teeth. Another name for the buccal surface is the labial surface.
The term buccal surface is used for posterior teeth, and the term labial surface is used for anterior teeth.
Lingual surface
The lingual surface faces the tongue and is located on the inner side of the teeth.
Occlusal surface
The occlusal surface is the surface of the teeth with which we chew food. When you put the upper and lower teeth on top of each other, the occlusal surfaces of the upper and lower teeth are actually on top of each other.
What is a dental embrasure?
The triangular space between the teeth is called an embrasure. The depth of this space is less between the front teeth and more between the back teeth. Men have shallower embrasures than women.
The teeth do not touch each other along their entire length, from where the gum ends to the incisal edge, but rather in a small area.
In the case of gingival embrasures, the presence of a normal interdental papilla between the teeth is significant from an aesthetic point of view; it is beautiful when the interdental papilla covers this embrasure.
Sometimes, the gum rises higher due to gum recession, creating an unpleasant black or dark triangle. Sometimes, this problem is caused by orthodontics.
When the teeth are crowded and overlap (especially severe crowding where the edges of the teeth overlap entirely), the interdental gum does not form well. When the teeth are arranged with orthodontics, the gap of the unformed gum is a black triangle.
What Is a Tooth Cusp?
The cusp is a conical protrusion with a sharp tip that is present on the occlusal surface of the teeth. Large cusps on premolars and molars are the most crucial difference between these and other teeth. There are two cusps on each premolar. There are four or more cusps on each molar.
- Premolars have two cusps, and molars have four cusps.
- Posterior cusps are divided into two categories: functional and non-functional. Functional cusps interfere with chewing, and non-functional cusps do not play a role in chewing.
- The buccal cusps of the mandible teeth and the palatal cusps of the maxillary teeth are functional.
- The lingual cusps of the mandible teeth and the buccal cusps of the maxillary teeth are non-functional.
What are the mesial and distal surfaces of a tooth?
Every tooth in the mouth is in contact with the teeth on either side by its lateral surfaces. The mesial surface is the lateral surface of the tooth that is closer to the midline, or in other words, toward the front of the mouth. The only teeth that have mesial surfaces in contact with each other are the maxillary and mandibular central incisors.
The distal surface is the lateral surface of the tooth that is farther from the midline and toward the back of the mouth.
What is the ridge of a tooth?
There are three types of ridges on the occlusal surface:
- Marginal Ridges are the highest areas of the occlusal surface at the border of contact between a tooth and an adjacent tooth. Each tooth has two marginal ridges, one on the mesial and one on the distal sides.
- Oblique Ridges are found on all molars (molar teeth) and some premolars (premolar teeth). These ridges form an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the central groove of the tooth.
- Transverse Ridges
What is a cingulum?
A prominent, distinct enamel ridge on the upper and lower anterior teeth’s lingual surface connects the mesial to the distal surface. In dentistry, a cingulum (Latin for girdle) refers to an anatomical feature of a tooth. A cingulum is the part of the tooth that forms a convex ridge in the cervical third of the anatomical crown. This represents the lingual or palatal growth lobe of these teeth.
Conclusion
Understanding the surfaces of the teeth, mesial, distal, buccal, lingual, and occlusal, helps maintain better oral hygiene and prevent dental issues.
Each surface plays a vital role in chewing, cleaning, and overall dental health. Knowing their functions lets you improve your brushing and flossing techniques for a healthier smile.
Sources:
- sagepub.com/home/jdr
- American Dental Association (ADA) – MouthHealthy (ada.org)
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