NOCTI Dental Assisting Practice Exam

Question: 1 / 400

Caries appear more _____ than non-decayed areas?

Opaque

Radiolucent

Caries, or dental caries, present as areas of demineralization on teeth that result from the action of acids produced by bacteria. In dental radiography, carious lesions appear radiolucent. This means they allow more X-rays to pass through than surrounding healthy tooth structure, which is denser and therefore appears more opaque on radiographs.

The reason that caries appear radiolucent is due to the loss of minerals in the enamel and dentin, which reduces their density. Healthy tooth structure, being more mineralized, reflects X-rays and appears white or opaque on a radiograph. Therefore, when viewing a radiograph, the presence of a darker area indicates that there is a carious lesion, distinguishing it from the non-decayed areas that maintain their mineral density. This radiographic characteristic is essential for identifying and diagnosing dental caries effectively.

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