Periodontics and Endodontics Flashcards
7 cards from real NBDE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Periodontics and Endodontics flashcards as text
Which test result pattern is MOST consistent with a diagnosis of reversible pulpitis?
Answer: Exaggerated response to cold that resolves quickly
Reversible pulpitis produces a heightened but transient response to thermal stimuli that subsides quickly upon removal of the stimulus, indicating the pulp can recover.
What is 'biologic width' and why is it clinically significant in restorative dentistry?
Answer: The combined height of junctional epithelium and connective tissue attachment above bone
Biologic width (~2mm) is the combined dimension of the junctional epithelium (~1mm) and connective tissue attachment (~1mm) that must be respected when placing restoration margins.
During root canal shaping, which concept describes enlarging the canal more at the coronal third to improve irrigation and reduce ledging?
Answer: Crown-down technique
The crown-down technique shapes the canal from the orifice downward, removing coronal interferences first to improve irrigant access, reduce apical debris extrusion, and minimize ledging.
A healthy sulcus depth is generally considered to be:
Answer: 1–3 mm
A healthy gingival sulcus typically measures 1–3 mm in depth; depths exceeding 3 mm with attachment loss are considered pathologic periodontal pockets.
What is the MOST common cause of endodontic treatment failure?
Answer: Incomplete removal of infected tissue and inadequate seal
The most common cause of endodontic failure is inadequate debridement leaving residual infected tissue combined with a poor coronal or apical seal allowing recontamination.
Which systemic condition is MOST strongly associated with generalized aggressive periodontitis?
Answer: Neutrophil functional defects
Aggressive periodontitis is strongly associated with neutrophil functional defects (chemotaxis or phagocytosis abnormalities) that impair the host's ability to control periodontal pathogens.
In the step-back technique for root canal preparation, the working length is established at which file size?
Answer: The master apical file (MAF)
In the step-back technique, the master apical file (MAF) is the largest file used at the full working length, establishing the final apical preparation size.