DDS Trivia 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which nerve must be anesthetized to achieve pulpal anesthesia of the maxillary molars during routine dental procedures?
- Posterior superior alveolar nerve only
- Posterior superior alveolar and middle superior alveolar nerves (Correct answer)
- Inferior alveolar nerve
- Nasopalatine nerve
Correct answer: Posterior superior alveolar and middle superior alveolar nerves
Maxillary molar pulpal anesthesia requires the posterior superior alveolar nerve (for roots) and often the middle superior alveolar nerve (for mesiobuccal root and surrounding tissue).
Question 2: What is the primary buffer system in saliva that resists pH changes caused by bacterial acids?
- Phosphate buffer system
- Bicarbonate buffer system (Correct answer)
- Protein buffer system
- Urea buffer system
Correct answer: Bicarbonate buffer system
The bicarbonate buffer system is the dominant buffering mechanism in stimulated saliva, neutralizing acids produced by cariogenic bacteria to protect enamel.
Question 3: Which type of bone graft uses bone harvested from the same individual receiving the graft?
- Allograft
- Xenograft
- Autograft (Correct answer)
- Alloplast
Correct answer: Autograft
An autograft (autogenous bone graft) uses bone harvested from the patient's own body (e.g., chin, ramus, iliac crest) and is considered the gold standard for bone regeneration.
Question 4: Which condition is characterized by failure of cementum to cover the root apex, resulting in exposed dentin at the apex?
- Hypercementosis
- Cemental aplasia (Correct answer)
- Dilaceration
- Taurodontism
Correct answer: Cemental aplasia
Cemental aplasia refers to absent or deficient cementum at the root apex, leaving dentin exposed and potentially causing hypersensitivity or periodontal vulnerability.
Question 5: How many permanent teeth are in a full adult dentition, including third molars?
- 28
- 30
- 32 (Correct answer)
- 36
Correct answer: 32
A complete adult dentition consists of 32 permanent teeth: 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, 8 first and second molars, and 4 third molars (wisdom teeth).
Question 6: Which instrument is specifically designed to remove supragingival and subgingival calculus by using a pull stroke on root surfaces?
- Periodontal probe
- Explorer
- Curette (Correct answer)
- Sickle scaler
Correct answer: Curette
Curettes (such as Gracey curettes) have a rounded toe and back, allowing safe subgingival access on root surfaces using a pull stroke to remove calculus and root-surface deposits.
Question 7: Which systemic condition is most closely associated with an increased risk of dry socket (alveolar osteitis) after tooth extraction?
- Hypertension
- Diabetes mellitus
- Cigarette smoking (Correct answer)
- Hypothyroidism
Correct answer: Cigarette smoking
Cigarette smoking significantly increases the risk of dry socket by inhibiting clot formation and promoting fibrinolysis through vasoconstriction and chemical interference from tobacco.
DDS Trivia 5
Which nerve must be anesthetized to achieve pulpal anesthesia of the maxillary molars during routine dental procedures?