National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

What is the process by which the resin material is changed from a pliable state to a hardened restoration?

1. Polishing

2. Light Curing

3. Etching

4. Bonding

The correct answer is: Light Curing

The correct process by which the resin material is changed from a pliable state to a hardened restoration is light curing. During this process, a special light, often a blue LED light, is applied to the resin material, initiating a chemical reaction that causes the resin to harden. This method is commonly used with composite resins in dental restorations, ensuring that the material sets quickly and provides a durable, aesthetic repair to the tooth structure. Light curing is essential in modern dentistry because it allows for precise control over the curing process, ensuring that the material hardens only after it has been properly placed and shaped by the dental professional. This technique is preferred for its efficiency and effectiveness in achieving long-lasting restorations. Other methods listed, like polishing, etching, and bonding, do not directly involve the curing of resin from a soft to a hard state and serve different purposes in the dental procedure. Polishing improves the surface finish, etching prepares the tooth and material for better adhesion, and bonding involves creating a secure attachment between materials, but none of these transform the resin into a hardened state.