Oral histology and anatomy: reparative tertiary dentine: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Oral histology and anatomy: reparative tertiary dentine

Sample item

A deep carious lesion destroys the odontoblasts beneath it, but the pulp survives and later a hard tissue barrier with irregular tubules forms under the lesion. How is this tissue produced?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. By newly differentiated odontoblast-like cells from pulp progenitors

When the original odontoblasts die, pulp progenitor cells differentiate into odontoblast-like cells that form reparative dentine. If instead the original cells survive and secrete more, the tissue is called reactionary dentine.

Option by option

  • A. By newly differentiated odontoblast-like cells from pulp progenitors (correct)

    Correct. Replacement cells from the pulp produce the reparative barrier.

  • B. By surviving primary odontoblasts increasing secretion

    Surviving original odontoblasts make reactionary dentine, which is a different process.

  • C. By cementoblasts migrating from the root surface

    Cementoblasts cover the root and do not contribute to pulpal repair.

  • D. By ameloblasts re-forming at the base of the lesion

    Ameloblasts are lost at eruption and cannot re-form.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is A, By newly differentiated odontoblast-like cells from pulp progenitors. When the original odontoblasts die, pulp progenitor cells differentiate into odontoblast-like cells that form reparative dentine.

Why is "By surviving primary odontoblasts increasing secretion" not the answer?

Surviving original odontoblasts make reactionary dentine, which is a different process.

Why is "By cementoblasts migrating from the root surface" not the answer?

Cementoblasts cover the root and do not contribute to pulpal repair.

Why is "By ameloblasts re-forming at the base of the lesion" not the answer?

Ameloblasts are lost at eruption and cannot re-form.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral histology and anatomy: reparative tertiary dentine in Dentistry. If instead the original cells survive and secrete more, the tissue is called reactionary dentine.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Oral histology and anatomy: reparative tertiary dentine?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.