Cervical caries are usually located on which surfaces?

• A. Facial-lingual surfaces
• B. Proximal surfaces
• C. Occlusal surfaces
• D. Root surfaces

Answer: (A)

Cervical caries occur at the cervical portion of the crown, right at or near the cementoenamel junction, where plaque tends to accumulate along the gingival margin on smooth facial and lingual surfaces. This location is especially susceptible because these margins are often plaque-retentive and the enamel is thinner in the cervical region, allowing acids to demineralize the surface more readily. As a result, the most common surfaces involved are the facial and lingual aspects near the gumline. Proximal or occlusal surfaces are more typically associated with caries in other patterns (proximal caries at contact areas, occlusal pit/fissure caries), and root caries involve exposed root surfaces rather than the crown’s cervical margin.