EFDA Restorative & Preventive Dental Procedures 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended curing light distance from the composite surface during polymerization to ensure adequate depth of cure?
- As close as possible without touching, within 1-2 mm (Correct answer)
- Exactly 10 mm away
- 5-7 mm away
- Distance does not affect curing
Correct answer: As close as possible without touching, within 1-2 mm
Holding the curing light tip within 1-2 mm of the composite surface maximizes light intensity and ensures adequate depth of cure.
Question 2: A tooth with a proximal carious lesion is being restored. Which cavity preparation classification describes this lesion on a posterior tooth?
- Class I
- Class II (Correct answer)
- Class III
- Class V
Correct answer: Class II
Class II cavity preparations involve the proximal surfaces (mesial or distal) of posterior teeth (premolars and molars).
Question 3: When performing a rubber dam application for an amalgam restoration, the rubber dam clamp should be placed:
- On the tooth being restored
- One tooth distal to the tooth being restored (Correct answer)
- One tooth mesial to the tooth being restored
- On the most posterior tooth in the arch
Correct answer: One tooth distal to the tooth being restored
Placing the clamp one tooth distal to the operative tooth keeps it out of the working field and provides clear access.
Question 4: The EFDA is preparing to place a base under a deep amalgam restoration. Which base material has the best pulp-protective (obtundent) properties?
- Glass ionomer cement
- Calcium hydroxide (Correct answer)
- Zinc phosphate cement
- Resin-modified glass ionomer
Correct answer: Calcium hydroxide
Calcium hydroxide stimulates reparative dentin formation and has direct pulp-capping and obtundent properties near the pulp.
Question 5: During coronal polishing, which type of tooth surface should be polished LAST to prevent cross-contamination?
- Facial surfaces
- Lingual surfaces
- Interproximal surfaces
- Areas adjacent to carious lesions or open margins (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Areas adjacent to carious lesions or open margins
Carious or compromised areas are polished last to avoid spreading bacteria or debris to healthy tooth surfaces.
Question 6: Which radiographic finding would indicate that a cavity preparation for amalgam is of adequate depth?
- The preparation extends into the pulp chamber
- The preparation has reached into dentin but does not approach the pulp (Correct answer)
- The preparation is limited to enamel only
- The preparation shows a pulp exposure
Correct answer: The preparation has reached into dentin but does not approach the pulp
Ideal amalgam preparations extend into dentin for mechanical retention without approaching or exposing the pulp.
Question 7: When sealing a pit and fissure with a self-etch sealant system, the acid etching step is:
- Required for 60 seconds
- Performed after sealant placement
- Incorporated into the primer, eliminating a separate etch step (Correct answer)
- Replaced with polyacrylic acid conditioning
Correct answer: Incorporated into the primer, eliminating a separate etch step
Self-etch sealant systems combine the etching and priming steps into one, simplifying placement and reducing technique sensitivity.
EFDA Restorative & Preventive Dental Procedures 4
What is the recommended curing light distance from the composite surface during polymerization to ensure adequate depth of cure?