Dental Assistant Practice Exam

What is the Buccal surface of a tooth?

1. Surface toward the midline

2. Surface toward the tongue

3. Facial surface of posterior teeth

4. Facial surface of anterior teeth toward the lips

The correct answer is: Facial surface of posterior teeth

The buccal surface of a tooth refers specifically to the facial surface of the posterior teeth, which includes the molars and premolars. This surface is oriented toward the inside of the cheeks, meaning it is the portion of the tooth that faces the buccal mucosa, or the inner lining of the cheeks. In dental terminology, understanding the anatomical orientation of various tooth surfaces is essential for effective communication among dental professionals and for accurately describing the location of tooth decay, restorations, or other dental issues. The distinction also becomes important as other surfaces, like the facial surface of anterior teeth toward the lips, refer specifically to the incisors and canines, which are more directly related to the facial aesthetics and smile line. The surface toward the tongue, known as the lingual surface, and the surface toward the midline, called the mesial surface, also represent other critical orientations in dental anatomy, but they do not pertain to the definition of buccal.