Which term describes a carious lesion that is actively progressing and cavitated?

• A. Active non-cavitated caries
• B. Inactive/arrested caries
• C. Recurrent caries
• D. Active cavitated caries

Answer: (D)

A lesion that is both actively progressing and cavitated is best described as active cavitated caries. Active means the decay is still spreading, not arrested, while cavitated means there is an actual hole in the tooth structure. This combination signals ongoing destruction with a definite breach in enamel or dentin, distinguishing it from lesions that are non-cavitated (no true cavity yet) or arrested (no longer progressing). Recurrent caries refers to new decay around a restoration, which is a different situation. In practice, active cavitated lesions typically require operative treatment to remove decay and restore structure, whereas non-cavitated active lesions may be managed with remineralization and preventive measures.