Which procedure involves removing plaque and is a preventive dental treatment?

Which procedure involves removing plaque and is a preventive dental treatment?

• A. Dental prophylaxis
• B. Crown lengthening
• C. Decay
• D. Prosthesis

Answer: (A)

Removing plaque is a key part of preventive dental care. A dental prophylaxis is the professional cleaning designed to remove plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces above the gumline, followed by polishing. This reduces the bacterial load, helps prevent gingivitis and early periodontal disease, and lowers the risk of decay by making surfaces smoother and less plaque-retentive. The other terms refer to something different: crown lengthening is a surgical procedure to expose more of a tooth; decay is the disease process (caries) itself; prosthesis is a replacement tooth or dental appliance.

Removing plaque is a key part of preventive dental care. A dental prophylaxis is the professional cleaning designed to remove plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces above the gumline, followed by polishing. This reduces the bacterial load, helps prevent gingivitis and early periodontal disease, and lowers the risk of decay by making surfaces smoother and less plaque-retentive. The other terms refer to something different: crown lengthening is a surgical procedure to expose more of a tooth; decay is the disease process (caries) itself; prosthesis is a replacement tooth or dental appliance.