Dental anatomy: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Dentistry · Dental anatomy

Sample item

Which tooth surface faces the cheek in posterior teeth?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Buccal surface

The buccal surface of posterior teeth faces the cheek, whereas the lingual surface faces the tongue and the occlusal surface contacts opposing teeth.

Option by option

  • A. Buccal surface (correct)

    Correct: buccal means toward the cheek.

  • B. Occlusal surface

    Occlusal is the chewing surface.

  • C. Lingual surface

    Lingual refers to the tongue-facing surface.

  • D. Proximal surface

    Proximal surfaces contact adjacent teeth.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Dentistry questions

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is A, Buccal surface. The buccal surface of posterior teeth faces the cheek, whereas the lingual surface faces the tongue and the occlusal surface contacts opposing teeth.

Why is "Occlusal surface" not the answer?

Occlusal is the chewing surface.

Why is "Lingual surface" not the answer?

Lingual refers to the tongue-facing surface.

Why is "Proximal surface" not the answer?

Proximal surfaces contact adjacent teeth.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dental anatomy in Dentistry. The correct option holds because: Correct: buccal means toward the cheek.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Dental anatomy?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.