Restorative & Materials · single question
What is the FIRST visual clinical sign of caries?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. A white spot opacity
- A. Brown staining represents a later, arrested or more advanced lesion.
- B. Correct. The WHITE SPOT LESION — a chalky, opaque area caused by subsurface demineralization — is the earliest visible clinical sign of caries. It appears before any cavitation. Critically, this stage is REVERSIBLE with fluoride, improved hygiene, and diet modification, which is why detecting it matters. It is best seen on a clean, dried tooth surface.
- C. Textural roughness follows demineralization; the visual opacity precedes it.
- D. An explorer catch indicates cavitation — a later stage — and probing a white spot can actually damage the fragile surface layer.
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