The term for the chewing surface of posterior teeth is?

The term for the chewing surface of posterior teeth is?

• A. Molar
• B. Maxilla
• C. Occlusion
• D. Occlusal

Answer: (D)

The chewing surface of posterior teeth is the occlusal surface. Occlusal describes the surface of a tooth that comes into contact with the opposite arch during chewing, and posterior teeth (premolars and molars) are the ones that grind food with that surface. The other terms don’t fit: a molar is a tooth type, not the surface itself; the maxilla is the upper jaw bone; occlusion refers to the overall contact relationship between teeth, not a single surface; and occlusal is the adjective used to describe that chewing surface.

The chewing surface of posterior teeth is the occlusal surface. Occlusal describes the surface of a tooth that comes into contact with the opposite arch during chewing, and posterior teeth (premolars and molars) are the ones that grind food with that surface. The other terms don’t fit: a molar is a tooth type, not the surface itself; the maxilla is the upper jaw bone; occlusion refers to the overall contact relationship between teeth, not a single surface; and occlusal is the adjective used to describe that chewing surface.