Coronal Polish Certification Practice Test

What is a characteristic of black line stain?

1. Always removable by polishing

2. Appears as a continuous line near the gingival margin

3. Commonly found on molar teeth

4. Only appears in adults

The correct answer is: Appears as a continuous line near the gingival margin

A characteristic of black line stain is that it appears as a continuous line near the gingival margin. This unique presentation is indicative of this particular type of stain, which is often associated with the presence of certain bacteria in the biofilm and is typically seen in patients with excellent oral hygiene. The black line stain is usually found along the gingival margin on the tooth surface, rather than covering larger areas. While the presence of such stains can be linked to specific patients’ hygiene practices, it's important to note that not all stains are easily removable by polishing, making the distinction in appearance vital. The other characteristics listed may appear misleading; for instance, although black line stains can occur on molar teeth, they are not exclusive to them, and contrary to the statement, these stains can be present in both children and adults, so the notion that they only appear in adults is not accurate.