CDC Dental Terminology & Anatomy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the prefix 'peri-' mean in dental terminology?
- Inside
- Below
- Around or surrounding (Correct answer)
- Above
Correct answer: Around or surrounding
The prefix 'peri-' means around or surrounding, as in periodontium (tissues surrounding the tooth).
Question 2: Which permanent teeth are most commonly congenitally missing (excluding third molars)?
- Maxillary central incisors
- Mandibular second premolars and maxillary lateral incisors (Correct answer)
- Maxillary first premolars
- Mandibular canines
Correct answer: Mandibular second premolars and maxillary lateral incisors
Mandibular second premolars and maxillary lateral incisors are the most frequently congenitally absent teeth, excluding third molars.
Question 3: What is 'furcation' in dental anatomy?
- The tip of the root
- The area where two or more roots divide on a multi-rooted tooth (Correct answer)
- The widest portion of the root
- The junction of root and crown
Correct answer: The area where two or more roots divide on a multi-rooted tooth
The furcation is the area where roots diverge on multi-rooted teeth; furcation involvement is a key periodontal finding.
Question 4: The term 'edentulous' means:
- Having extra teeth
- Missing all natural teeth (Correct answer)
- Having impacted teeth
- Having deciduous teeth only
Correct answer: Missing all natural teeth
Edentulous means having no natural teeth remaining, whether in a single arch (partially edentulous) or entire mouth (completely edentulous).
Question 5: What is the 'apex' of a tooth?
- The widest point of the crown
- The tip of the root (Correct answer)
- The junction of enamel and dentin
- The cusp tip
Correct answer: The tip of the root
The apex is the very tip of the root, where the apical foramen allows nerves and blood vessels to enter the pulp.
Question 6: Which term describes inflammation of the gingival tissue?
- Periodontitis
- Gingivitis (Correct answer)
- Stomatitis
- Pulpitis
Correct answer: Gingivitis
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gingiva (gums) without loss of connective tissue attachment or bone.
Question 7: What is 'cementum'?
- The outer layer of the dental crown
- The calcified tissue covering the root surface (Correct answer)
- The soft tissue lining the pulp chamber
- The mineralized layer beneath enamel
Correct answer: The calcified tissue covering the root surface
Cementum is the calcified connective tissue covering the root surface, providing attachment for periodontal ligament fibers.
CDC Dental Terminology & Anatomy 3
What does the prefix 'peri-' mean in dental terminology?