HESI General Chairside Assisting Practice Exam

What is the purpose of a wedge in dental procedures?

1. Hold the tooth in place during restoration

2. Contour the cervical margin of a class II restoration

3. Stabilize the dental dam

4. Facilitate easier filling of cavities

The correct answer is: Contour the cervical margin of a class II restoration

The purpose of a wedge in dental procedures is to contour the cervical margin of a class II restoration. In this context, wedges are typically used with matrices during restorative procedures on posterior teeth, where the restoration involves the interproximal area. The wedge is placed interproximally to help close any gaps between the matrix band and the tooth, ensuring that the material can be properly shaped and contoured to restore the natural anatomy of the tooth, particularly at the cervical margin. This helps in achieving a tight contact with the adjacent tooth and provides a smooth transition between the restoration and the tooth structure, enhancing both function and aesthetics. In contrast, holding the tooth in place during restoration would be better accomplished by other mechanisms, and while wedges can assist in stabilizing the dental dam somewhat, it is not their primary purpose. Facilitating easier filling of cavities is also not the main function of the wedge; rather, it supports proper contouring and contact creation during the filling process.