ABO Professional Knowledge 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the ABO Discrepancy Index (DI), a higher score indicates:
- A simpler, less complex case
- A more complex and severe malocclusion (Correct answer)
- Better final treatment results
- A shorter treatment time
Correct answer: A more complex and severe malocclusion
The Discrepancy Index quantifies pretreatment case complexity; higher scores mean greater difficulty.
Question 2: Which tool does the ABO use to objectively grade the quality of completed treatment outcomes?
- Discrepancy Index (DI)
- Cast-Radiograph Evaluation (CRE) (Correct answer)
- PAR Index
- Bolton Analysis
Correct answer: Cast-Radiograph Evaluation (CRE)
The Cast-Radiograph Evaluation scores the finished result against measurable objective criteria.
Question 3: How many criteria are assessed in the ABO Cast-Radiograph Evaluation?
- 3
- 5
- 8 (Correct answer)
- 15
Correct answer: 8
The CRE evaluates 8 criteria including alignment, marginal ridges, overjet, and root angulation.
Question 4: Which of the following is NOT one of the eight ABO Cast-Radiograph Evaluation criteria?
- Alignment/rotations
- Occlusal contacts
- Patient satisfaction score (Correct answer)
- Root angulation
Correct answer: Patient satisfaction score
Patient satisfaction is subjective and is not one of the objective CRE measurement criteria.
Question 5: In the CRE, points are deducted for deviations. A perfect ideal result would score:
- 100 points
- 0 points (Correct answer)
- 50 points
- 8 points
Correct answer: 0 points
The CRE is a penalty-based system where an ideal outcome accumulates zero deduction points.
Question 6: The ABO Discrepancy Index scores the tooth-size/arch-length discrepancy under which category?
- Overjet
- Crowding (Correct answer)
- Cephalometrics
- Overbite
Correct answer: Crowding
Crowding, reflecting space deficiency, is scored as its own DI category.
Question 7: Which ABO index would a resident use to demonstrate that a case was sufficiently complex to be presentable for certification?
- Cast-Radiograph Evaluation
- Discrepancy Index (Correct answer)
- Little's Irregularity Index
- IOTN
Correct answer: Discrepancy Index
The Discrepancy Index establishes minimum complexity thresholds for acceptable board cases.
ABO Professional Knowledge 3
In the ABO Discrepancy Index (DI), a higher score indicates: