Dental Assisting Midterm Practice Test 2026 – Complete Study Guide

Sanding discs are used with a slow-speed handpiece to polish and finish anterior composite restorations. They provide controlled, progressive smoothing of the composite surface after placement, helping to remove excess material, refine margins, and achieve a smooth, glossy finish without generating excessive heat. This is especially important on the front teeth where aesthetics matter. They aren’t used to etch enamel (that’s done with acid), carve occlusal anatomy (that uses carving instruments), or polish porcelain (that requires porcelain-specific polishing systems).