Buccolingual

/ˌbʌkoʊˈlɪŋɡwəl/ adjective

Definition

Relating to both the cheek side (buccal) and the tongue side (lingual) of a tooth or the mouth.

Etymology

Compound of bucco- (from Latin bucca, cheek) and lingual (from Latin lingua, tongue), describing the full width of a tooth from cheek to tongue side.

Kelly Says

Buccolingual expansion in orthodontics means making teeth wider from cheek-side to tongue-side—it's how dentists create more room for crowded teeth without pulling any out.

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