carious lesion

Question 1

Physical characteristics of an active carious lesion in enamel

Answer 1

surface is white/yellow
opaque with loss of lustre 'frosty'
feels 'rough' on tip of ball ended probe
lesion is in plaque stagnation area (pits and fissures)
or near gingival/proximal surface
lesion covered in biofilm prior to exam

Question 2

Physical characteristics of inactive (arrested) caries on enamel

Answer 2

surface is whitish, brownish or black
shiny and feels hard and smooth on ball ended probe
lesion not covered by plaque biofilm prior to exam

Question 3

Physical characteristics of active dentine lesion

Answer 3

appears moist and matte

feels rough, soft, wet or leathery on probing

Question 4

Physical characteristics of inactive (arrested) dentine carious lesion

Answer 4

appears shiny and hard

scratchy on gentle probing