What does “Buccal, lingual and labial surfaces” mean?
Buccal surface, lingual surface, and labial surface are names that refer to the surface of a tooth according to the surrounding structure. This refers to the cheek side, tongue side, and lip side, respectively.
Distinguishing the cheek-facing and lip-facing surfaces
The cheek-facing surface of a back tooth is called the buccal surface; the lip-facing surface of a front tooth is called the labial surface. Both face outward, but their names differ according to the nearby structure.
The tongue-facing surface is the lingual surface
The lingual surface is the surface of the tooth that faces the tongue. Because the direction is opposite to the side facing the cheek or lips, both the outer surface and the lingual surface exist on the same tooth.
How to read medical records
For example, a description that the buccal surface of a tooth has been restored provides both the tooth location and the restored surface. You cannot tell the depth of the cavity or the restoration material just by looking at the name of the area, so check that information separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the surface name tell me how deep a cavity is?
The surface name identifies location. The area affected on the surface and the depth extending into the tooth need to be explained separately.
Can one tooth have several surface names?
Yes. Teeth have several surfaces. Changes or restorations that extend across more than one surface can be recorded using all the relevant surface names.
Questions to help you understand buccal, lingual, and labial surfaces
Learn what the term means and how it relates to your dental condition.
- Sufficient understanding
Did you specify the position and side of the tooth?
Explanation and evidenceRead separately by which tooth it is and which side of that tooth it is.
American Dental Association · Glossary of Dental Terms - Sufficient understanding
In addition to the location, did you hear the depth and scope of treatment?
Explanation and evidenceInformation not conveyed by the terms buccal, lingual, and labial must be checked separately.
American Dental Association · Glossary of Dental Terms
