HESI General Chairside Assisting Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the HESI General Chairside Assisting Exam with comprehensive questions, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Achieve exam readiness efficiently with our tools and insights.

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!

Practice this question and more.

What is a primary use of a periosteal elevator in dental procedures?

To lift and reflect a surgical flap
To measure tooth cavities
To perform tooth extractions
To polish dental restorations

The correct answer is: To lift and reflect a surgical flap

The primary use of a periosteal elevator in dental procedures is to lift and reflect a surgical flap. This instrument is specifically designed for accessing the underlying structures of the jawbone and surrounding tissues during surgical procedures, such as extractions or implant placement. By elevating the periosteum, which is the membrane covering the bones, dental professionals gain better visibility and access to the surgical site. This step is crucial in ensuring that the procedures can be performed with minimal disruption to the surrounding tissues, ultimately leading to better healing outcomes for the patient. Other options are not associated with the primary purpose of the periosteal elevator. Measuring tooth cavities, performing tooth extractions, and polishing dental restorations are tasks that require different instruments and techniques. The specificity of the periosteal elevator's design makes it uniquely suited for flap reflection rather than any of these tasks.