Dental Positioning and Surface Terms

Question 1

apical

Answer 1

towards the apex

Question 2

buccal

Answer 2

surface of the tooth nearest the cheek (posterior teeth)

Question 3

coronal

Answer 3

towards the crown

Question 4

distal

Answer 4

away from the midline in the dental arches

Question 5

facial

Answer 5

surface of the tooth nearest the face; buccal and labial are more accurate

Question 6

incisal

Answer 6

biting surface of anterior teeth

Question 7

interproximal

Answer 7

between adjoining surfaces of the teeth

Question 8

labial

Answer 8

surface of the tooth nearest the lips (anterior teeth)

Question 9

line angle

Answer 9

imaginary line formed by the junction of two adjacent surfaces/walls of a tooth

Question 10

lingual

Answer 10

surface of the tooth nearest the tongue

Question 11

maxilla

Answer 11

the bone that forms most of the upper jaw

Question 12

mesial

Answer 12

toward the midline of the dental arch

Question 13

occlusal

Answer 13

the chewing surfaces of the caudal teeth

Question 14

palatal

Answer 14

surface of the tooth towards the hard palate

Question 15

sublingual

Answer 15

the structures and surfaces beneath the tongue