Labial Surface of Mandibular Lateral Incisor Tooth

Description

The labial surface is the aspect of the mandibular lateral incisor tooth that faces towards the lips and vestibule. It is one of the four surfaces of the crown of the tooth, the other three being the lingual, mesial, and distal surfaces.

The labial surface meets the:

- mesial surface at the mesiolabial angle;

- distal surface at the distolabial angle;

- incisal margin at the labioincisal angle.

For descriptive purposes, the labial surface of a mandibular tooth can be divided by two horizontal lines into three portions. In a superior to inferior direction, these are the:

- incisal third;

- middle third;

- cervical third.

Furthermore, the labial surface of a tooth can also be divided by two vertical lines into three portions. In a mesial to distal direction, these are the:

- mesial third;

- middle third;

- distal third.

Overall, the buccal surfaces of the posterior teeth (premolars and molars) are the equivalents to the labial surfaces of the anterior teeth (incisors and canines). Collectively, the labial and buccal surfaces are known as the vestibular surfaces, or facial surfaces.