HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What does obturation refer to in dental terminology?

1. Making a hole in the tooth

2. The process of filling a root canal

3. Extracting a tooth

4. Cleaning a tooth's surface

The correct answer is: The process of filling a root canal

Obturation specifically refers to the process of filling a root canal after it has been treated due to infection or damage. This procedure is essential in endodontics to seal the canals that have been cleaned and shaped, effectively preventing the re-entry of bacteria and facilitating healing of the surrounding tissues. Proper obturation ensures that the root canal system is airtight and minimizes the risk of future infections. The other options describe different dental procedures or actions: making a hole in the tooth relates to drilling or caries removal, extracting a tooth refers to the complete removal of a tooth from its socket, and cleaning a tooth's surface typically involves dental prophylaxis or routine cleaning but does not involve filling or sealing any anatomical spaces like a root canal. Hence, the focus on filling specifically in the context of endodontic treatment aligns with the term obturation.