AGD Diagnostic & Treatment Planning Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient reports sensitivity to cold that lingers for 20 seconds after stimulus removal. Which pulpal diagnosis is MOST likely?
- Normal pulp
- Reversible pulpitis
- Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (Correct answer)
- Pulp necrosis
Correct answer: Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis
Lingering cold sensitivity lasting more than a few seconds after removal indicates symptomatic irreversible pulpitis.
Question 2: Which radiographic technique BEST minimizes geometric distortion when imaging the periapical region?
- Bisecting angle technique
- Paralleling technique (Correct answer)
- Occlusal projection
- Panoramic radiography
Correct answer: Paralleling technique
The paralleling technique places the film/sensor parallel to the long axis of the tooth, minimizing distortion.
Question 3: A treatment plan is sequenced into phases. Which phase includes definitive restorative procedures?
- Systemic phase
- Disease control phase
- Definitive phase (Correct answer)
- Maintenance phase
Correct answer: Definitive phase
The definitive phase includes final restorations, prosthetics, implants, and other comprehensive treatments after disease is controlled.
Question 4: Which of the following is a CONTRAINDICATION to taking a full-mouth series of periapical radiographs?
- A new patient with no prior dental records
- A patient with extensive existing restorations
- An edentulous patient with no signs or symptoms (Correct answer)
- A patient with suspected periapical pathology
Correct answer: An edentulous patient with no signs or symptoms
A symptom-free edentulous patient rarely benefits from a full-mouth periapical series; a panoramic image is more appropriate.
Question 5: During charting, a furcation involvement is detected where the probe penetrates into but does not pass through the furcation. This is classified as:
- Class I furcation
- Class II furcation (Correct answer)
- Class III furcation
- Class IV furcation
Correct answer: Class II furcation
Class II furcation involvement means the probe enters the furcation but cannot pass completely through.
Question 6: A patient's chief complaint is a clicking sound in the right TMJ upon opening. The BEST initial diagnostic step is:
- Ordering an MRI of the joint
- Conducting a comprehensive TMJ and muscle palpation examination (Correct answer)
- Immediately referring to an oral surgeon
- Fabricating a night guard without further evaluation
Correct answer: Conducting a comprehensive TMJ and muscle palpation examination
A thorough clinical examination including joint and muscle palpation is the first step in TMD diagnosis.
Question 7: The DMFT index measures caries experience in permanent teeth. The 'M' component represents:
- Missing teeth due to any cause
- Missing teeth due to caries only (Correct answer)
- Mobile teeth
- Mixed dentition teeth
Correct answer: Missing teeth due to caries only
In the DMFT index, 'M' counts only teeth missing due to caries, not extractions for other reasons.
AGD Diagnostic & Treatment Planning Techniques 3
A patient reports sensitivity to cold that lingers for 20 seconds after stimulus removal.
Which pulpal diagnosis is MOST likely?