Trivia Flashcards
7 cards from real DDS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Trivia flashcards as text
Which cranial nerve is responsible for the general sensory innervation of the teeth and gums?
Answer: Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
The trigeminal nerve (CN V) provides the primary sensory innervation to the teeth, periodontal ligament, and gingiva via its maxillary and mandibular divisions.
What is the hardest substance in the human body?
Answer: Enamel
Dental enamel is the hardest biological material in the human body, composed of approximately 96% hydroxyapatite mineral by weight.
Which teeth are most commonly affected by pericoronitis?
Answer: Mandibular third molars
Pericoronitis most commonly affects partially erupted mandibular third molars (wisdom teeth), where the overlying gingival flap traps bacteria.
The 'rule of 1s' in local anesthesia refers to which landmark for inferior alveolar nerve blocks?
Answer: 1 cm above the occlusal plane of the mandibular molars
The target for the inferior alveolar nerve block is approximately 1 cm (or one fingerbreadth) above the occlusal plane of the mandibular molars at the medial ramus.
Which enzyme in saliva initiates carbohydrate digestion in the oral cavity?
Answer: Salivary amylase (ptyalin)
Salivary amylase (ptyalin) begins starch digestion in the mouth by cleaving alpha-1,4 glycosidic bonds in polysaccharides.
What is the approximate pH at which hydroxyapatite in enamel begins to dissolve (critical pH)?
Answer: 5.5
The critical pH for enamel dissolution is approximately 5.5; below this level, the oral environment becomes undersaturated with respect to hydroxyapatite and demineralization occurs.
Which cell type is primarily responsible for dentinogenesis?
Answer: Odontoblasts
Odontoblasts, derived from neural crest cells, are responsible for producing predentin which subsequently mineralizes to form dentin throughout life.