Dental Dental Anatomy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is dentin?
- The outer covering of the tooth
- The layer beneath enamel making up most of the tooth structure, softer than enamel but harder than bone (Correct answer)
- A type of dental cement
- The gum tissue
Correct answer: The layer beneath enamel making up most of the tooth structure, softer than enamel but harder than bone
Dentin forms the bulk of the tooth structure. It is yellowish, slightly elastic, and contains microscopic tubules that can transmit pain sensations.
Question 2: What is the gingiva?
- The jaw bone
- The gum tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth (Correct answer)
- The tongue
- The palate
Correct answer: The gum tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth
The gingiva (gums) is the mucous membrane that covers the alveolar bone and surrounds the necks of the teeth, forming a seal to protect underlying structures.
Question 3: What are deciduous teeth?
- Permanent teeth
- Primary (baby) teeth that are eventually replaced by permanent teeth (Correct answer)
- Wisdom teeth
- False teeth
Correct answer: Primary (baby) teeth that are eventually replaced by permanent teeth
Deciduous (primary) teeth number 20 and begin erupting around 6 months of age. They are progressively replaced by permanent teeth starting around age 6.
Question 4: What is the Universal Numbering System for teeth?
- A random assignment
- A numbering system (1-32) starting from the upper right third molar going around to the lower right third molar (Correct answer)
- A system using letters only
- An obsolete system no longer in use
Correct answer: A numbering system (1-32) starting from the upper right third molar going around to the lower right third molar
In the Universal system, teeth are numbered 1-32 starting from the upper right third molar (#1), moving left across the top to #16, then down to the lower left #17, ending at lower right #32.
Question 5: What is the function of cementum?
- It fills cavities
- It covers the tooth root and helps anchor the tooth to the bone via the periodontal ligament (Correct answer)
- It whitens teeth
- It forms the chewing surface
Correct answer: It covers the tooth root and helps anchor the tooth to the bone via the periodontal ligament
Cementum is a calcified tissue covering the tooth root that provides attachment for the periodontal ligament fibers connecting the tooth to the alveolar bone.
Question 6: What are the surfaces of a posterior tooth?
- Inside and outside only
- Mesial, distal, buccal, lingual, and occlusal (Correct answer)
- Top and bottom only
- Front and back only
Correct answer: Mesial, distal, buccal, lingual, and occlusal
Each tooth surface has a specific name: mesial (toward midline), distal (away from midline), buccal (cheek side), lingual (tongue side), and occlusal (chewing surface).
Dental Dental Anatomy 2
What is dentin?