DANB General Chairside Practice Test

When biopsy is needed for a suspected lesion, which of the following tools is most commonly used?

1. Scalpel

2. Electrosurge

3. Curette

4. Forceps

The correct answer is: Scalpel

When a biopsy is needed for a suspected lesion, a scalpel is most commonly used because it allows for precise cutting and tissue removal. Scalpel blades come in various sizes and shapes, making them versatile for different types of lesions and locations in the mouth. This tool provides the necessary sharpness to ensure clean cuts, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues while allowing the clinician to obtain an adequate sample for histopathological examination. The other tools listed, while they may serve specific functions in dental or medical procedures, are not typically used as the primary instruments for performing biopsies. Electrosurge is generally used to cut tissue with electrical current and is more often employed for cauterizing tissue rather than for excising a biopsy sample. Curettes are designed for scraping and removing soft tissue or debris but lack the precision needed for a biopsy. Forceps can grip or hold tissue but are not ideal for cutting into deeper structures to obtain a representative sample of a lesion. Hence, the scalpel is the preferred tool for this purpose.