Relating to or denoting the surface of a tooth that is next to an adjacent tooth; also meaning 'close to' or 'near.'
From approximate (Latin approximare) + -al (suffix forming adjectives). Used especially in dentistry for tooth surfaces.
Dentists use approximal to describe the hidden surfaces between your teeth—the spaces you can't see in the mirror, where cavities hide. It's the sneakiest part of dental anatomy.
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