Deck 18: Coronal Polishing and Dental Sealants

Question 1

The highest-risk period for decay occurs within the first:

A) 3 to 4 years of eruption
B) 5 to 6 years of eruption
C) 7 to 8 years of eruption
D) 9 to 10 years of eruption

Answer 1

3 to 4 years of eruption

Question 2

Self-cured sealants usually polymerize within:

A) 30 seconds.
B) 1 minute.
C) 5 minutes.
D) 1 hour.

Answer 2

1 minute.

Question 3

In which situation are sealants indicated?

A) Obvious dental decay or any proximal surface decay
B) Primary teeth that will be lost soon
C) Poor patient cooperation in the dental chair or a lack of pits and fissures
D) Newly erupted permanent molars

Answer 3

Newly erupted permanent molars

Question 4

The first step in placing dental sealants is to:

A) etch the enamel
B) isolate and dry the teeth
C) clean the enamel
D) check the occlusion

Question 5

Powder abrasives should be as wet as possible because fine-grit abrasives remove enamel.

A) Both the statement and the reason are correct and related.
B) Both the statement and the reason are correct but not related
C) The statement is correct, but the reason is not.
D) The statement is not correct, but the reason is correct.

Question 6

The most common cause of sealant loss is:

A) the use of unfilled material
B) the use of outdated material
C) moisture contamination during placement
D) bruxism

Question 7

The right-angle hand piece is held with which grasp?

A) Pen
B) Palm-thumb
C) Reverse palm-thumb
D) Digital pronate

Question 8

Etched enamel looks:

A) shiny.
B) frosty.
C) wet.
D) slightly yellow.

Question 9

Which results from using the prophy angle at a high speed?

A) Wrist fatigue
B) Gingival lacerations
C) Heat damage to the tooth
D) Polishing cup aspiration

Question 10

A stain that may be removed from the surfaces of the teeth is:

A) extrinsic
B) exogenous
C) intrinsic
D) endogenous

Question 11

A right-handed operator generally begins polishing seated at:

A) 8 o'clock
B) 3 o'clock
C) 11 o'clock
D) 5 o'clock

Question 12

Coronal polishing is:

A) a substitute for oral prophylaxis
B) used to remove calculus, debris, stains, and plaque from teeth
C) used to remove plaque and stains from the coronal surfaces of the teeth
D) a procedure that can be performed by any dental assistant

Question 13

A stain that cannot be removed from the surfaces of the teeth is caused by:

A) tea, coffee, and colas
B) tobacco
C) chlorhexidine mouth rinse
D) tetracycline antibiotics

Question 14

Coronal polishing is NOT used:

A) to remove biofilm and stains
B) before acid etching
C) before placement of the dental dam
D) as an oral prophylaxis (prophy)

Question 15

To avoid injury, the rubber-polishing cup is directed ______ the gingival third and pressed ______ against the tooth surface.

A) toward; lightly
B) away from; lightly
C) toward; firmly
D) away from; firmly

Question 16

Disclosing solution can be used to:

A) remove bacterial biofilm
B) evaluate polishing effectiveness
C) identify intrinsic stains
D) prevent dental caries

Question 17

When polishing the mandibular arch, the patient's chin is positioned:

A) to the right
B) to the left
C) up
D) down

Question 18

Properly placed dental sealants are how effective in preventing cavities in sealed surfaces?

A) 70%
B) 80%
C) 90%
D) 100%

Question 19

After placing a sealant, check the interproximal space with:

A) dental floss
B) a mouth mirror
C) a dental explorer
D) disclosing solution

Question 20

The lingual surfaces of the maxillary right quadrant are polished with the patient's head positioned ______ the operator.

A) up and toward
B) up and away from
C) down and toward
D) down and away from

Question 21

If a patient has extensive tobacco staining, the best polishing agent to use is __________.

Question 22

After placing several dental sealants, the operator carefully inspects each one to discover that the distal aspect of the last sealant is missing. In an attempt to dry the tooth for closer inspection, the operator inadvertently sprays the tooth with water. What should the operator do next?

A) Re-clean the tooth and rinse thoroughly
B) Dry the tooth and place additional sealant material
C) Re-etch and dry the tooth
D) Floss the interproximal areas and check the occlusion

Question 23

________ is a highly effective dental abrasive that does not abrade enamel.

Question 24

Which is recommended to prepare a tooth for sealant placement?

A) Bristle brush with a pumice-water mixture
B) Rubber cup with commercial toothpaste
C) Bristle brush with fluoride prophylaxis paste
D) Rubber cup with coarse silex

Question 25

The type of abrasive agent used for heavily stained teeth is __________.

Question 26

Which polishing technique minimizes the removal of enamel?

A) Fast rotation of the rubber-polishing cup
B) Firm pressure applied to the hand piece
C) Small quantity of prophy paste
D) Coarse-grit abrasive agent

Question 27

Extrinsic stain removal techniques are completely safe for the patient's teeth.

Question 28

Most sealant materials are designed for use at:

A) 98° F (body temperature)
B) 70° F (room temperature)
C) 40° F (refrigeration temperature)
D) 32° F (freezing temperature)

Question 29

Which type of extrinsic stain is most common in pediatric patients?

A) Green
B) Black
C) Brown
D) Yellow

Question 30

Bristle brushes can be used on exposed cementum provided the brushes are soft.

Question 31

Two methods exist for removing extrinsic stains: air-powder and rubber cup polishing.

Question 32

Coronal polishing entails the complete removal of calculus, debris, stains, and biofilm.

Question 33

The grit of an abrasive refers to its coarseness.

Question 34

Select an effective polishing agent that produces the least amount of _________.

Question 35

An ___________ stain is the type of intrinsic stain that occurs during tooth development.

Question 36

An ___________ stain is the type of intrinsic stain that occurs after eruption.

Question 37

Which describes amalgam stain?

A) Bright white spots.
B) Yellowish-brown translucence.
C) Gray or black tint.
D) Green discoloration.

Question 38

Coronal polishing is contraindicated for patients at high risk for caries or with areas of thin demineralized enamel.

Question 39

A fulcrum provides stability for the operator, but must facilitate movement of the wrist and forearm.

Question 40

Which exogenous stain is frequently found in clean mouths?

A) Yellow
B) Brown
C) Green
D) Black

Question 41

When performing a rubber cup polishing procedure, the right-handed operator should be seated at the 11 o'clock position.

Question 42

Light-cured sealants require a two-part mixture before placement and curing on the tooth.

Question 43

When performing a rubber cup polishing procedure, it is best to begin with the anterior teeth because they are closest and easily accessible.