Caries Diagnosis

Question 1

T/F: Caries is dichotomous.

Answer 1

False

Continuum from incipient to advanced

Question 2

What are optimum conditions for caries detection?

Answer 2

Clean, dry, good light, sharp probe, magnification

Question 3

T/F: Black/brown staining is a reliable indicator for caries.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

T/F: Smooth surface caries rates are declining.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

If we had perfect sensitivity than there would be no false ___________.

Answer 5

Negatives

Every time patient has disease we would know it

Question 6

If we had perfect specificity there would be no false _________.

Answer 6

Positives

Every time patient was disease free we would know it

Question 7

Probing and visual inspection have high __________ but low __________.

Answer 7

Specificity; sensitivity

Question 8

T/F: Small lesions on radiographs are likely to be cavitated.

Answer 8

False

Question 9

What is the effect of sealing teeth?

Answer 9

Nutrients cannot get to the bacteria in the lesions so carries progression often slows or stops

Question 10

T/F: We should be concerned with sealing in hidden caries.

Answer 10

False

Caries will stop progressing if tooth is sealed

Question 11

What are the two major balancing concepts in management of small fissure lesions?

Answer 11

1. Diagnostic tests are not very sensitive

2. Minimal treatment effective for incipient and moderate lesions

Question 12

T/F: Early detection and treatment of caries is crucial.

Answer 12

False

Even if detected early, often best to leave untreated and change habits or seal teeth