HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What is meant by arrested caries?

1. Decay showing no progressive tendencies

2. Rapid tooth decay

3. Partial removal of decay

4. Healing of a cavity

The correct answer is: Decay showing no progressive tendencies

Arrested caries refers to a state of dental decay that has stopped progressing. In this condition, the carious lesions remain present, but they do not worsen or cause additional damage to the tooth structure. The process occurs when the factors that originally led to the decay, such as bacterial activity and sugar intake, are managed effectively through good oral hygiene practices, dietary changes, or fluoride treatment, resulting in a stable situation where the decay is contained and does not lead to further deterioration. This concept is especially important in dentistry because it demonstrates that not all carious lesions require immediate intervention or restoration; some can be monitored while maintaining oral health. In contrast, rapid tooth decay indicates a continuing process rather than a halted one, and partial removal of decay still implies that there is ongoing decay that has not been entirely addressed. Healing of a cavity typically refers to the process in which dental tissue is restored, which is not the same as the condition of arrested caries where decay is simply not advancing.