Which of the following is a characteristic of coronal caries?

• A. Plaque
• B. White spot
• C. Surface layer present
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Coronal caries progresses on the enamel surface under a biofilm rich in cariogenic bacteria, so the presence of plaque is a defining factor. The earliest visible sign clinically is a white spot, which reflects subsurface enamel demineralization beneath an apparently intact surface. This white-spot stage indicates porosity increasing beneath the surface while the outer enamel layer remains relatively intact, and it represents a reversible phase if addressed with remineralization and caries control. Histologically, coronal caries shows a surface layer that stays mineralized even as the lesion deepens, acting as a barrier to progression and a potential site for remineralization. Because plaque, the white-spot appearance, and the preserved surface layer all characterize early coronal lesions, all of these features are present in coronal caries.