EFDA Restorative & Preventive Dental Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which matrix system is most commonly used for Class II composite restorations in posterior teeth?
- Tofflemire matrix
- Sectional matrix system (Correct answer)
- Copper band matrix
- Celluloid strip matrix
Correct answer: Sectional matrix system
Sectional matrix systems provide better contact point reproduction and contour for posterior composite restorations than circumferential matrices.
Question 2: When placing a Class V glass ionomer restoration, what is the primary reason for conditioning the cavity preparation?
- To disinfect the cavity
- To remove the smear layer and enhance adhesion (Correct answer)
- To etch the enamel for micromechanical retention
- To dehydrate the dentin
Correct answer: To remove the smear layer and enhance adhesion
Conditioning with polyacrylic acid removes the smear layer and activates the tooth surface for chemical bonding with glass ionomer.
Question 3: A patient presents with a newly placed amalgam restoration that is high in occlusion. The FIRST step the EFDA should take is:
- Use articulating paper to identify high spots (Correct answer)
- Notify the dentist immediately
- Polish the restoration
- Ask the patient to bite down harder
Correct answer: Use articulating paper to identify high spots
Articulating paper marks the premature contacts so the EFDA can identify and adjust the high spots under dentist supervision.
Question 4: Which fluoride concentration is found in professionally applied fluoride varnish?
- 0.05% NaF
- 0.2% NaF
- 5% NaF (2.26% F) (Correct answer)
- 1.1% NaF
Correct answer: 5% NaF (2.26% F)
Professional fluoride varnish contains 5% sodium fluoride, delivering 22,600 ppm of fluoride to tooth surfaces.
Question 5: During composite placement, the incremental layering technique is used primarily to:
- Speed up the curing process
- Reduce polymerization shrinkage stress (Correct answer)
- Improve shade matching
- Prevent moisture contamination
Correct answer: Reduce polymerization shrinkage stress
Placing composite in 2 mm increments reduces the C-factor and minimizes polymerization shrinkage stress at the tooth-restoration interface.
Question 6: Which instrument is used to remove excess composite material from the gingival margin before curing?
- Hollenback carver
- Interproximal knife
- Composite placement instrument or IPC (Correct answer)
- Burnisher
Correct answer: Composite placement instrument or IPC
A composite placement instrument (IPC) or similar plastic-tipped instrument shapes and removes excess uncured composite without contaminating it.
Question 7: Pit and fissure sealants are most effective when applied to teeth that have fissures rated at which stage on the ICDAS scale?
- ICDAS 4-5 (dentin caries)
- ICDAS 0-1 (sound or initial enamel change) (Correct answer)
- ICDAS 6 (extensive cavitation)
- ICDAS 3 (localized enamel breakdown)
Correct answer: ICDAS 0-1 (sound or initial enamel change)
Sealants are most effective as a preventive measure on sound or minimally affected enamel (ICDAS 0-1) before caries progression.
EFDA Restorative & Preventive Dental Procedures 2
Which matrix system is most commonly used for Class II composite restorations in posterior teeth?