National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the National Dental Assisting Exam with comprehensive quiz questions, including multiple choice and detailed explanations. Equip yourself for success!

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.

One of the key functions of a mirror in dental practice is to:

Aid in viewing the oral cavity
Provide suction during a procedure
Help in applying dental materials
Measure the depth of cavities

The correct answer is: Aid in viewing the oral cavity

The primary function of a dental mirror is to aid in viewing the oral cavity. Dental mirrors are specifically designed to provide indirect vision, allowing the dental professional to see areas that are difficult to access directly. These mirrors often have a circular reflective surface that enhances visibility of hard-to-reach areas in the mouth, such as the posterior teeth and the lingual surfaces, thus aiding in thorough examination and treatment. While suctioning and measuring cavities are important functions in dental procedures, these roles are carried out by other specialized instruments. Suction devices are specifically designed to remove debris and fluids from the oral cavity, and measuring tools or probes are used to assess cavity depth. The application of dental materials is done with applicators or other tools suited for that purpose, rather than with a mirror. Therefore, the mirror's main role remains as a visual aid for the clinician during diagnostic and treatment processes.