HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What does obturation in dental treatment refer to?

1. Sealing and filling the canal area

2. Cleaning the gum line

3. Administering local anesthesia

4. Extracting a tooth

The correct answer is: Sealing and filling the canal area

Obturation in dental treatment specifically refers to the process of sealing and filling the canal area within a tooth, particularly in the context of root canal therapy. This procedure is critical because after the infected or damaged pulp has been removed from the root canal system, it is important to fill the space to prevent future infections and to restore the tooth's function. The materials used for obturation, such as gutta-percha, help create a seal that protects the tooth from bacteria and helps maintain its structure and integrity. While cleaning the gum line, administering local anesthesia, and extracting a tooth are all important procedures in dentistry, they do not pertain to the definition of obturation. Each of those tasks serves a different purpose in dental treatment, but obturation specifically focuses on the management of the interior of a tooth post-treatment.