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

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

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

Answer: (D)

Removing plaque through a professional cleaning is the idea of a preventive maintenance visit. A dental prophylaxis is the routine cleaning that removes plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces and may include polishing to help prevent cavities and gum disease. It’s preventive because it reduces the bacterial load and supports healthy gums and teeth before problems develop. The other items are not preventive cleanings: a dental implant replaces a missing tooth, crown lengthening is a surgical procedure to expose more tooth structure, and decay refers to the disease process, not a treatment. So the procedure that involves removing plaque and is preventive is dental prophylaxis.

Removing plaque through a professional cleaning is the idea of a preventive maintenance visit. A dental prophylaxis is the routine cleaning that removes plaque and calculus from tooth surfaces and may include polishing to help prevent cavities and gum disease. It’s preventive because it reduces the bacterial load and supports healthy gums and teeth before problems develop. The other items are not preventive cleanings: a dental implant replaces a missing tooth, crown lengthening is a surgical procedure to expose more tooth structure, and decay refers to the disease process, not a treatment. So the procedure that involves removing plaque and is preventive is dental prophylaxis.