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!

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What is the primary function of a sandpaper disc in a low-speed handpiece?

To cut hard materials
To polish and/or finish a restoration
To remove decay
To prepare a tooth for restoration

The correct answer is: To polish and/or finish a restoration

The primary function of a sandpaper disc in a low-speed handpiece is to polish and/or finish a restoration. Sandpaper discs are specifically designed with a fine abrasive surface that allows for smoothening and refining the surface of dental materials, such as composite resins or dental alloys, after they have been placed in a cavity. This polishing process is essential for achieving a smooth, shiny finish, which not only improves aesthetic appearance but also helps to reduce plaque accumulation and promotes better oral hygiene. While sandpaper discs may be used in conjunction with other instruments that cut or remove decay, their specialized function revolves around smoothing and finishing rather than cutting or preparing a tooth. Therefore, their role is more closely aligned with enhancing the surface characteristics of restorative materials rather than initial tooth preparation or decay removal.