EFDA Restorative & Preventive Dental Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient's permanent first molar has a retained primary molar root tip blocking the occlusal fissure. Sealant placement should be:
- Completed immediately with extra material
- Deferred until the dentist evaluates the tooth (Correct answer)
- Attempted with additional etching time
- Skipped permanently for that tooth
Correct answer: Deferred until the dentist evaluates the tooth
Abnormal findings such as retained roots must be evaluated by the dentist before preventive procedures are performed.
Question 2: Which finishing instrument is used to smooth interproximal composite surfaces after initial carving?
- Steel bur at high speed
- Finishing strip (Correct answer)
- Ultrasonic scaler tip
- Rubber polishing cup
Correct answer: Finishing strip
Finishing strips allow access to interproximal composite surfaces for smoothing and contouring after initial carving.
Question 3: The Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) protocol guides the EFDA to recommend fluoride varnish frequency based on:
- Patient's age only
- Patient's caries risk level (Correct answer)
- Number of existing restorations
- Preference of the patient
Correct answer: Patient's caries risk level
CAMBRA categorizes patients as low, moderate, or high risk for caries, with fluoride varnish frequency increasing with higher risk.
Question 4: When using an amalgamator, which factor most directly affects the consistency and strength of the amalgam mix?
- The brand of amalgam capsule used
- The trituration time and speed (Correct answer)
- The temperature of the operatory
- The size of the capsule
Correct answer: The trituration time and speed
Trituration time and speed control the degree of amalgamation, directly affecting the working consistency and final strength of the restoration.
Question 5: During a preventive resin restoration (PRR), after removing carious tissue from a pit, the EFDA places:
- Amalgam filling only
- A composite restoration in the carious area sealed with pit and fissure sealant over adjacent pits (Correct answer)
- A full crown preparation
- A glass ionomer over the entire occlusal surface
Correct answer: A composite restoration in the carious area sealed with pit and fissure sealant over adjacent pits
A PRR combines a minimal composite restoration in the carious pit with sealant coverage of adjacent sound pits and fissures.
Question 6: After final polishing of an amalgam restoration, the surface should appear:
- Matte and dull
- Highly reflective and smooth (Correct answer)
- Slightly rough to aid retention
- The same as immediately after condensation
Correct answer: Highly reflective and smooth
A properly polished amalgam restoration has a smooth, reflective surface that reduces plaque retention and corrosion.
Question 7: Which sealant failure is most commonly caused by inadequate isolation during placement?
- Sealant discoloration
- Partial or complete loss of sealant due to salivary contamination (Correct answer)
- Sealant-induced pulpal irritation
- Air bubble entrapment causing opacity
Correct answer: Partial or complete loss of sealant due to salivary contamination
Salivary contamination during etching or sealant placement compromises bonding, leading to premature loss of the sealant.
EFDA Restorative & Preventive Dental Procedures 5
A patient's permanent first molar has a retained primary molar root tip blocking the occlusal fissure.
Sealant placement should be: