mesiobuccal

Mesiobuccal is a directional term used in dental anatomy to indicate a location on a tooth that lies toward the mesial (the midline of the dental arch) and buccal (the cheek-facing) aspects. The term combines mesio- with buccal to describe a surface, cusp, groove, ridge, or other feature positioned toward the front and the cheek side of the tooth. It is commonly applied to posterior teeth, particularly molars and premolars, to specify landmarks such as the mesiobuccal cusp or the mesiobuccal groove on maxillary molars, or related ridges on lower teeth. On maxillary teeth, the buccal surface is toward the cheek, while the palatal surface is toward the tongue; on mandibular teeth, the buccal surface also faces the cheek, with the lingual surface toward the tongue. The term has clinical relevance for crown preparation, orthodontic assessment, radiographic interpretation, and endodontic access planning, where precise localization matters. The corresponding opposite region is distobuccal, indicating the distal and buccal aspect, and related terms include mesiopalatal or distopalatal for palatal-oriented surfaces on maxillary teeth. Mesiobuccal terminology appears in dental charts, textbooks, and operative notes, providing a standardized way to describe tooth anatomy and guide treatment.