The surface of the tooth facing the vestibule is described as?

The surface of the tooth facing the vestibule is referred to as bucal or vestibular. This terminology is used to describe the specific area of a tooth that is oriented towards the lips (labial) or cheeks (buccal) and is primarily involved in interactions with soft tissues in the mouth. In small animal dentistry, understanding these terms is essential for effectively describing tooth surfaces and their relationships to oral structures.

While "labial" could seem appropriate since it pertains to the anterior teeth facing the lips, bucal or vestibular is a broader term that encompasses surfaces on both anterior and posterior teeth that face the vestibule, which is the space between the lips/cheeks and the teeth. On the other hand, "lingual" refers to the surface of the tooth that faces the tongue, and "occlusal" describes the chewing surface of the teeth that comes in contact with opposing teeth. Therefore, bucal or vestibular accurately captures the orientation of the tooth surface in relation to the vestibule, making it the correct choice.