Deck 24: The Use of Radiographs in the Detection of Dental Caries

Question 1

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

A) The detection of caries is one of the most common reasons for exposing dental radiographs.
B) The carious process is one of remineralization of tooth structure.
C) Caries appears radiolucent on the radiograph.
D) The presence of caries allows more x-rays to pass through the tooth and darken the image receptor.

Answer 1

The carious process is one of remineralization of tooth structure.

Question 2

Incipient caries is seen radiographically as a radiolucency that has:

A) penetrated less than halfway through the enamel.
B) penetrated over halfway through the enamel but did not reach the DEJ.
C) penetrated at or through the DEJ but less than halfway through the dentin toward the pulp.
D) penetrated over halfway through the dentin toward the pulp.

Answer 2

penetrated less than halfway through the enamel.

Question 3

Which of the following conditions resembles caries on a radiograph?

A) Nonmetallic restorations
B) Cervical burnout
C) Mach band effect
D) All of the above

Answer 3

All of the above

Question 4

Which of the following statements regarding the radiographic appearance of occlusal caries is correct?

A) Occlusal carious lesions are located on the incisal edges of the anterior teeth.
B) Incipient occlusal caries is well-visualized on the radiograph.
C) Radiolucencies in dentin below occlusal enamel indicate occlusal caries.
D) The irregularity of cusps and occlusal pits and fissures usually indicate the presence of caries.

Question 5

Which of the following statements regarding radiographic detection of caries is FALSE?

A) Radiographs aid significantly in the detection of proximal decay.
B) Bitewing radiographs are the radiographs of choice for the evaluation of caries.
C) Incorrect vertical angulation overlaps the contacts between teeth to render the radiograph useless for caries detection.
D) Radiographs have limited usefulness in detection of early occlusal caries.

Question 6

Which of the following is the correct classification for proximal caries of enamel and dentin definitely at or through the dentinoenamel junction (DEJ) but less than halfway through the dentin toward the pulp?

A) C-1
B) C-2
C) C-3
D) C-4

Question 7

Each of the following is a possible location of caries EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A) Root
B) Proximal
C) Alveolar
D) Occlusal

Question 8

When interpreting dental radiographs for caries, which section of the tooth surface should be examined for evidence of proximal caries?

A) Just above and just below the enamel on the occlusal surface
B) Just apical to the occlusal surface at the contact point of adjacent teeth
C) At and just apical to the contact point of adjacent teeth
D) At and just apical to the gingival margin between adjacent teeth

Question 9

Which of the following statements regarding radiographic detection of caries is correct?

A) Decalcification must reach 80-90 percent loss of hard structure to be imaged radiographically.
B) The depth of the caries appears more advanced radiographically than clinically.
C) The periapical radiograph is the radiograph of choice to image caries.
D) Some practitioners prefer to use a low kVp to best image caries.

Question 10

For caries to be imaged on a radiograph, approximately what percentage of calcium and phosphorus of the tooth structure must be lost?

A) 20-30 percent
B) 30-40 percent
C) 40-50 percent
D) 50-60 percent

Question 11

Moderate caries is seen radiographically as a radiolucency that has:

A) penetrated less than halfway through the enamel.
B) penetrated over halfway through the enamel but did not reach the DEJ.
C) penetrated at or through the DEJ but less than halfway through the dentin toward the pulp.
D) penetrated over halfway through the dentin toward the pulp.

Question 12

The caries process demineralizes tooth structures, allowing _____ x-rays to pass through the tooth and _______ the image receptor.

A) more, lighten
B) more, darken
C) less, lighten
D) less, darken

Question 13

As a carious lesion progresses, it takes on a triangular shape with the apex pointing toward the __________________ and the base toward the ___________________.

A) cementoenamel junction, outer surface of the tooth
B) dentinoenamel junction, outer surface of the tooth
C) outer surface of the tooth, cementoenamel junction
D) outer surface of the tooth, dentinoenamel junction

Question 14

Advanced caries is seen radiographically as a radiolucency that:

A) penetrated less than halfway through the enamel.
B) penetrated over halfway through the enamel but did not reach the DEJ.
C) penetrated at or through the DEJ but less than halfway through the dentin toward the pulp.
D) penetrated over halfway through the dentin toward the pulp.

Question 15

Which of the following is least likely to be imaged on a radiograph?

A) Incipient occlusal caries
B) Moderate proximal surface caries
C) Advanced proximal surface caries
D) Severe root caries

Question 16

Each of the following statements regarding the radiographic appearance of caries is correct EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A) Buccal/lingual caries appears as a round radiolucency in the middle of the tooth.
B) Cemental caries appears as an ill-defined, radiolucent, saucer-shaped area below the CEJ.
C) Occlusal caries appears in the pit and fissures of the tooth surface.
D) Proximal caries begins as a radiolucent notch on the enamel at the contact point between adjacent teeth.

Question 17

Severe caries is seen radiographically as a radiolucency that has:

A) penetrated less than halfway through the enamel.
B) penetrated over halfway through the enamel but did not reach the DEJ.
C) penetrated at or through the DEJ but less than halfway through the dentin toward the pulp.
D) penetrated over halfway through the dentin toward the pulp.

Question 18

Which of the following statements regarding caries depth is correct?

A) Incipient caries penetrates less than halfway through the enamel.
B) Moderate caries penetrates through the enamel and the DEJ.
C) Advanced caries penetrates all the way through the enamel, the dentin , and to the pulp.
D) Severe caries penetrates more than halfway through the enamel but not the DEJ.

Question 19

Which of these statements is FALSE?

A) Cemental caries may be called "root caries."
B) Root caries may be misinterpreted as cervical burnout.
C) Arrested caries are caries that are no longer active.
D) Rampant caries refers to decay that occurs under a restoration or around margins.

Question 20

Which kVp setting produces the highest contrast between sound enamel and demineralization?

A) 70
B) 80
C) 85
D) 90

Question 21

Arrested caries refers to caries that are no longer active.

Question 22

Caries is a pathological process consisting of localized destruction of dental hard tissues by organic acids produced by microorganisms.

Question 23

The high contrast between normal enamel and overlapped enamel can produce an optical illusion called "cervical burnout."

Question 24

A caries grading system establishes a baseline from which to track the progression and/or remineralization of the carious lesions at future appointments.

Question 25

Arrested caries refers to caries that occurs under a restoration or around its margins.

Question 26

Nonmetallic radiolucent restorations may mimic decay radiographically.

Question 27

Proximal caries occur on the buccal and lingual surfaces of the teeth.

Question 28

Occlusal caries occur on the smooth surfaces of the posterior teeth.

Question 29

Radiographs reveal carious lesions that may go undetected clinically, especially caries in the pits and fissures (occlusal surfaces) of the posterior teeth.

Question 30

The borders of buccal and lingual caries are usually ill-defined radiographically.

Question 31

Caries is a disease of the calcified tissues of the teeth.

Question 32

The shape of proximal caries begins as a radiolucent double triangle through the enamel and dentin.

Question 33

An optical illusion caused by the overlapping of teeth that mimics decay is called the "Mach band effect."

Question 34

For dental caries to be recorded on a radiograph, there has to be a decrease in calcium and phosphorus of approximately 40-50 percent.

Question 35

It is the superimposition of the buccal and lingual cusps of the posterior teeth that hinders recording incipient occlusal caries on a radiograph.

Question 36

Buccal and lingual caries are best detected radiographically.

Question 37

Root caries develops between the enamel border and free gingival margin on the cemental surface of the tooth.

Question 38

Early occlusal, buccal, lingual, and cemental caries are not likely to be recorded on radiographs.

Question 39

The depth of buccal or lingual caries can be determined by observing the radiographs.

Question 40

Recurrent caries appears as a radiolucency adjacent to the restoration.

Question 41

Radiographs are often prescribed to detect caries on which surfaces of the teeth?

Question 42

How are caries differentiated from nonmetallic radiolucent restorations radiographically?

Question 43

What term is applied to an optical illusion in which radiolucent lines are caused by overlapping images of the teeth?

Question 44

How do caries appear radiographically compared to radiopaque enamel?

Question 45

What term is applied to caries that are no longer active?

Question 46

According to the grading system suggested by Haugejorden and Slack (1977), what is the most extensive class of proximal decay?

Question 47

What is the name for severe, unchecked caries that affect multiple teeth?

Question 48

What is the radiographic appearance of moderate occlusal decay at the DEJ?

Question 49

What is the term applied to the pathologic process in which acids produced by microorganisms cause local destruction of dental hard tissues?

Question 50

What is the name of the optical illusion that describes the increased darkness near the neck of the teeth proximally on radiographs?