Which dental condition is primarily assessed by the presence of carious lesions?

The presence of carious lesions is primarily indicative of dental caries, which is a condition characterized by the decay of teeth due to the action of bacteria that produce acid from sugars. This decay leads to the formation of cavities or holes in the tooth structure, which are the carious lesions mentioned in the question. Assessing for these lesions is critical in diagnosing and managing dental caries, as they directly reflect the health of the tooth enamel and dentin.

In contrast, periodontitis, gingival recession, and malocclusion do not primarily involve the assessment of carious lesions. Periodontitis is a disease that affects the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, gingival recession refers to the loss of gum tissue, and malocclusion relates to the misalignment of teeth. None of these conditions are directly evaluated through the presence of carious lesions, making dental caries the correct answer in this context.