Which term describes the outer surface of a tooth toward the cheek?

Which term describes the outer surface of a tooth toward the cheek?

• A. Cavity
• B. Buccal
• C. Calculus
• D. Composite

Answer: (B)

The term used for the outer surface of a tooth toward the cheek is buccal. This word specifically describes the cheek-facing side of teeth, particularly on the back teeth, where the surface that faces the cheek is identified as buccal. (For contrast, the surface toward the lips on front teeth is called labial, and other directions include lingual toward the tongue and palatal toward the palate.) The other terms refer to different concepts: a cavity is decay in a tooth, calculus is hardened plaque (tartar), and composite is a tooth-colored filling material.

The term used for the outer surface of a tooth toward the cheek is buccal. This word specifically describes the cheek-facing side of teeth, particularly on the back teeth, where the surface that faces the cheek is identified as buccal. (For contrast, the surface toward the lips on front teeth is called labial, and other directions include lingual toward the tongue and palatal toward the palate.)

The other terms refer to different concepts: a cavity is decay in a tooth, calculus is hardened plaque (tartar), and composite is a tooth-colored filling material.