DDS Practice 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A dentist is treating a patient who is 4 months pregnant. Which radiographs are safe to take if clinically indicated?
- No radiographs should ever be taken during pregnancy
- Only panoramic radiographs are allowed
- Radiographs are safe with proper shielding when diagnostically necessary (Correct answer)
- Only bitewing radiographs are allowed in the third trimester
Correct answer: Radiographs are safe with proper shielding when diagnostically necessary
Dental radiographs are safe during pregnancy when clinically necessary, provided a thyroid collar and lead apron are used to minimize fetal exposure.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the gingival fiber group called the transseptal fibers?
- Attach the gingiva to the alveolar crest
- Connect adjacent teeth through the interproximal space (Correct answer)
- Support the free gingival margin
- Resist occlusal forces
Correct answer: Connect adjacent teeth through the interproximal space
Transseptal fibers extend interproximally between adjacent teeth, connecting them through the interdental space above the alveolar bone.
Question 3: During composite resin placement, the dentist uses an incremental layering technique. The primary reason for this technique is to:
- Improve color matching
- Reduce polymerization shrinkage stress (Correct answer)
- Increase working time
- Avoid the need for a bonding agent
Correct answer: Reduce polymerization shrinkage stress
Incremental layering reduces the overall polymerization shrinkage stress by limiting the volume of composite cured at one time and allowing stress relief.
Question 4: A patient presents with multiple amalgam restorations and complains of a metallic taste and burning sensation. The adjacent mucosa shows a white, striated lesion that cannot be wiped off. This is most likely:
- Candidiasis
- Leukoplakia
- Oral lichenoid reaction (Correct answer)
- Chemical burn
Correct answer: Oral lichenoid reaction
Oral lichenoid reactions in contact with amalgam restorations present as white striated lesions that do not rub off, similar to lichen planus.
Question 5: Which drug classification requires the use of prophylactic antibiotics before invasive dental procedures according to the American Heart Association guidelines?
- Patients with controlled hypertension
- Patients with prosthetic heart valves (Correct answer)
- Patients with coronary artery disease on aspirin
- Patients with pacemakers
Correct answer: Patients with prosthetic heart valves
The AHA recommends antibiotic prophylaxis before dental procedures for patients with prosthetic heart valves due to high risk of adverse outcomes from infective endocarditis.
Question 6: The wax-up of a complete denture is evaluated and the occlusal plane is found to be slanting downward on the right side. Which adjustment corrects this?
- Raise the posterior teeth on the left side
- Lower the posterior teeth on the right side (Correct answer)
- Rotate the occlusal plane by adjusting incisal guidance
- Remount and re-evaluate vertical dimension
Correct answer: Lower the posterior teeth on the right side
Lowering the right posterior teeth corrects the canting of the occlusal plane that slopes downward to the right.
Question 7: A patient returns 1 week after extraction with dry socket. Which clinical feature most confirms this diagnosis?
- Purulent discharge from the socket
- Absence of blood clot with exposed bone and intense pain (Correct answer)
- Swelling and trismus
- Fever and lymphadenopathy
Correct answer: Absence of blood clot with exposed bone and intense pain
Alveolar osteitis (dry socket) is characterized by loss of the clot, exposed alveolar bone, and severe, radiating pain typically 2–4 days post-extraction.
DDS Practice 4
A dentist is treating a patient who is 4 months pregnant.
Which radiographs are safe to take if clinically indicated?