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Dentistry vocabulary · Teeth and Oral Anatomy

Lingual

Meaning in dentistry, with examples

/ˈlɪŋɡwəl/adjectiveCommon term

In dentistry, lingual means: Describes the surface of a tooth that faces the tongue. In the upper jaw this surface is usually called palatal, because it faces the palate.

In Turkish: lingual, dil tarafı

How it is used

Used in charting (L), orthodontics (lingual braces, lingual retainer) and anesthesia (lingual nerve). Tartar often builds up on the lingual surfaces of the lower incisors.

Example sentences

  1. She has a bonded lingual retainer on her lower front teeth.

  2. Check the lingual surfaces of the lower incisors for calculus.

Common collocations

  • lingual surface
  • lingual retainer
  • lingual nerve
  • lingual braces
  • buccalDescribes the surface of a back tooth that faces the cheek, or anything related to the cheek. For front teeth, the surface facing the lips is usually called labial.
  • palateThe roof of the mouth. The front part, the hard palate, is bone covered with soft tissue; the back part, the soft palate, is muscle and moves when you swallow.
  • retainerAn appliance used after braces or aligners to keep the teeth in their new positions. It can be removable, or a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth.
  • bracesA fixed orthodontic appliance made of small brackets glued to the teeth and joined by a wire, which slowly moves the teeth into better positions.

More terms: Teeth and Oral Anatomy

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.