DANB Dental Anatomy and Oral Health Assessment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many permanent teeth does a dentally complete adult typically have?
- 20
- 28
- 32 (Correct answer)
- 36
Correct answer: 32
Adults typically have 32 permanent teeth: 8 per quadrant including the third molar (wisdom tooth), for a total of 32.
Question 2: Which tooth surface faces the tongue?
- Buccal
- Labial
- Lingual (Correct answer)
- Mesial
Correct answer: Lingual
The lingual surface faces the tongue; the term comes from the Latin word 'lingua' meaning tongue.
Question 3: What is the hardest naturally occurring substance in the human body?
- Cortical bone
- Dentin
- Enamel (Correct answer)
- Cementum
Correct answer: Enamel
Dental enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, composed of approximately 96% hydroxyapatite mineral crystals.
Question 4: The triangular space between two adjacent teeth is called the:
- Furcation
- Embrasure (Correct answer)
- Sulcus
- Cervix
Correct answer: Embrasure
The embrasure is the V-shaped space between adjacent teeth that allows for food deflection away from the gingiva during chewing.
Question 5: Which teeth are referred to as the 'cornerstone' teeth of the dental arches?
- Central incisors
- Lateral incisors
- Canines (cuspids) (Correct answer)
- First premolars
Correct answer: Canines (cuspids)
Canines (cuspids) are called cornerstone teeth because they mark the transition from anterior to posterior segments and provide guidance in lateral excursions.
Question 6: What is the periodontal ligament (PDL)?
- The nerve tissue running through the root canal
- Fibrous connective tissue connecting the tooth root to alveolar bone (Correct answer)
- The outer enamel layer of the tooth crown
- Soft tissue that covers the dental pulp
Correct answer: Fibrous connective tissue connecting the tooth root to alveolar bone
The periodontal ligament is composed of collagen fiber bundles that attach the tooth's cementum to the surrounding alveolar bone, acting as a shock absorber.
DANB Dental Anatomy and Oral Health Assessment 1
How many permanent teeth does a dentally complete adult typically have?