Here's a breakdown:
* Dental arch: The curved row of teeth in the upper or lower jaw.
* Midline: The imaginary line that divides the mouth into two equal halves.
Therefore, the mesial surface of a tooth is the side closest to the middle of your mouth.
In contrast:
* Distal: Refers to the surface of a tooth facing away from the midline of the dental arch.
* Buccal: Refers to the surface of a tooth facing the cheek.
* Lingual: Refers to the surface of a tooth facing the tongue.
These terms are important for dentists to accurately describe the location of dental problems, cavities, or other conditions.