HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Enhance your HOSA Dental Terminology knowledge with our quiz. Engage with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, all with hints and explanations. Excel in your exam preparation!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What is the purpose of root canal therapy?

To remove the outer enamel of the tooth
To extract the tooth completely
To remove the pulp and fill the tooth with material
To whiten the tooth surface

The correct answer is: To remove the pulp and fill the tooth with material

The purpose of root canal therapy is to remove the pulp and fill the tooth with material. This procedure is essential when the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels, becomes infected or inflamed, often due to decay, trauma, or other dental issues. By removing the damaged pulp, the procedure alleviates pain and prevents the infection from spreading to surrounding tissues. After the pulp is removed, the empty space within the tooth is cleaned and shaped, and then it is filled with a biocompatible material, typically gutta-percha. This process seals off the tooth to protect it from future infections and allows patients to retain their tooth instead of resorting to extraction. Therefore, root canal therapy plays a crucial role in preserving dental health and structure, enabling individuals to maintain functionality and aesthetic appearance of their teeth.