In severe occlusal caries, what occurs to enamel?

• A. Enamel forms a protective glaze
• B. Enamel thickens
• C. Enamel undermined with major tooth structure loss
• D. Enamel becomes hypermineralized

Answer: (C)

Caries progression weakens the tooth by dissolving mineral content, and in a severe occlusal lesion the decay penetrates deeper and undermines the enamel, leaving a thin, unsupported cap over a growing cavity. As dentin and other structures are destroyed, a large amount of tooth structure is lost. Enamel doesn’t form a protective glaze, thicken, or become hypermineralized in this situation; instead, the advancing decay undermines the enamel and leads to major tooth structure loss.