Caries Removal Terminology — ORE Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: D — Selective removal is completed and sealed at one visit; stepwise removal includes planned re-entry later
Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · D = shown as C · A = shown as D · C = shown as E
A is correct. Selective caries removal is completed at one visit and the remaining carious dentine near the pulp is sealed beneath the restoration. Stepwise caries removal is deliberately staged: after initial partial removal and sealing, the cavity is re-entered later for further excavation and definitive restoration. The key terminological difference is therefore planned re-entry, rather than the instrument used or whether a chemical adjunct is used. B reverses the visit pattern. C is wrong because selective removal does not require excavation to hard dentine, while stepwise removal does not leave soft dentine permanently. D and E describe neither defining feature nor valid restrictions of these approaches.
Reference: Schwendicke F, Frencken JE, Bjørndal L, et al. Managing Carious Lesions: Consensus Recommendations on Carious Tissue Removal. Advances in Dental Research. 2016;28(2):58-67. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27099358/