NDEB - National Dental Examining Board Oral Radiology and Interpretation Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 45-year-old female patient presents for a routine examination.
A panoramic radiograph reveals multiple, well-defined, mixed-density lesions with surrounding radiolucent rims located at the apices of all mandibular incisors.
The associated teeth are vital and asymptomatic.
What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Periapical cemento-osseous dysplasia

Answer

Chronic apical periodontitis

Answer

Odontogenic keratocysts

Answer

Metastatic carcinoma

Question 2

A panoramic radiograph of a 10-year-old male shows bilateral, symmetric, multilocular, expansile radiolucencies in the posterior mandible and ascending rami, giving a 'soap-bubble' appearance. The mandibular condyles are spared, and there is evidence of tooth displacement. Which of the following conditions best fits this presentation?

Accepted Answer

Cherubism

Answer

Ameloblastoma

Answer

Odontogenic myxoma

Answer

Fibrous dysplasia

Question 3

A clinician takes two periapical radiographs of a maxillary first molar to locate a supernumerary root. The first radiograph is taken with a standard perpendicular angulation. For the second radiograph, the tubehead is shifted mesially. On the second image, the supernumerary root appears to have moved distally relative to the main roots. According to the SLOB rule, what is the location of the supernumerary root?

Accepted Answer

Buccal

Answer

Lingual

Answer

Mesial

Answer

Distal

Question 4

A patient with a history of intravenous bisphosphonate therapy for multiple myeloma complains of a non-healing extraction socket in the posterior mandible. Which of the following is an early radiographic sign of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) that might be observed in this patient?

Accepted Answer

Thickening of the lamina dura and widening of the PDL space

Answer

Pathologic fracture of the mandible

Answer

Formation of a large, well-defined radiolucency

Answer

Significant expansion of the cortical plates

Question 5

A bitewing radiograph shows a diffuse, V-shaped radiolucency at the cervical line of a mandibular premolar, located just apical to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). The borders are ill-defined, and the radiolucency appears to wrap around the tooth. What is the most likely interpretation?

Accepted Answer

Cervical burnout

Answer

Root caries

Answer

Recurrent caries

Answer

Abrasion

Question 6

A patient presents with a suspected vertical root fracture on an endodontically treated maxillary premolar. A periapical radiograph shows a subtle 'J-shaped' or 'halo-like' radiolucency around the apex. Which imaging modality would be most definitive for confirming the presence and extent of the fracture?

Accepted Answer

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

Answer

Occlusal radiograph

Answer

Panoramic radiograph

Answer

Lateral cephalometric radiograph