Endodontics and Pulp Therapy Flashcards
6 cards from real MJDF practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Endodontics and Pulp Therapy flashcards as text
A patient has a symptomatic apical periodontitis. Which clinical feature helps distinguish this from acute dentoalveolar abscess?
Answer: Swelling (fluctuant abscess formation) and pus formation are features of acute abscess, not typically of symptomatic apical periodontitis alone
Symptomatic apical periodontitis presents with percussion sensitivity and radiographic changes but typically without pus or significant swelling. An acute abscess involves a soft tissue collection of pus, often with swelling, sometimes sinus tract formation.
What does the term 'apical transportation' refer to in root canal treatment?
Answer: Iatrogenic alteration of the original canal path, causing the foramen to be moved away from its original position
Apical transportation (also called apical 'zipping' or 'elbow formation') is an iatrogenic procedural error where the apical foramen is displaced from its original position due to excessive straightening of curved canals.
Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) is indicated for which of the following endodontic procedures?
Answer: Perforation repair, apexification of open apices, and apical plug in non-surgical endodontics
MTA's biocompatibility, sealing ability, and setting in moist environments make it ideal for perforation repair, apexification (closing an open apex), and placing an apical plug in roots with immature or open apices.
In root canal treatment, which of the following is the primary cause of post-treatment disease (endodontic failure)?
Answer: Persistent or new intraradicular or extraradicular infection, most commonly from inadequate debridement or coronal leakage
The vast majority of endodontic failures are caused by persistent microbial infection — either from incomplete debridement during initial treatment or from recontamination through coronal leakage after treatment.
A 10-year-old patient has an immature permanent maxillary central incisor with pulp necrosis following trauma. What is the most appropriate management approach?
Answer: Revascularisation (regenerative endodontic procedure) or MTA apexification
Immature necrotic permanent teeth benefit most from regenerative endodontic procedures (revascularisation) which can allow continued root development, or MTA apexification to create an apical barrier if regeneration is not feasible.
Which of the following is a contraindication to root canal treatment as opposed to extraction in a patient's management?
Answer: An unrestorable tooth, patient unable to cooperate for treatment, or tooth with poor strategic value
Root canal treatment is only appropriate when the tooth is restorable, the patient can cooperate, and the tooth has strategic value. Unrestorability, poor patient cooperation, or lack of strategic value favours extraction.