HESI General Chairside Assisting Practice Exam

For which conditions are radiographs prescribed to diagnose?

1. Visible decay

2. Undiscovered fractures

3. Caries not clinically visible

4. Gum disease

The correct answer is: Caries not clinically visible

Radiographs are essential diagnostic tools in dentistry, particularly for identifying conditions that may not be evident through visual examination alone. In the case of caries, or dental decay, they provide a view of the tooth structure beneath the enamel surface. This allows for the detection of lesions that are not clinically visible, helping practitioners determine the extent of decay and decide on appropriate treatment. While visible decay can be recognized without radiographs, and undiscovered fractures may also need imaging for confirmation and assessment, they do not specifically highlight the need for radiographs in the same way that invisible caries do. Gum disease is typically assessed through clinical examination and probing depths, though it may also require imaging for comprehensive diagnosis, but again, this is secondary to the detection of non-visible caries.