Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: cracked tooth syndrome: 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 · Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: cracked tooth syndrome

Sample item

A patient has sharp, brief pain on release of biting on a molar that shows no caries and normal radiographs. A bite stick placed on individual cusps reproduces the pain. Which diagnosis is most likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Cracked tooth syndrome

Cracked tooth syndrome causes pain on biting, especially on release, and is localised using a bite stick on individual cusps. Radiographs are usually normal because the crack runs in a plane that does not appear.

Option by option

  • A. Irreversible pulpitis

    Irreversible pulpitis gives lingering spontaneous pain.

  • B. Trigeminal neuralgia

    Trigeminal neuralgia causes brief shocks triggered by touch and not by biting on a single cusp.

  • C. Cracked tooth syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Pain on release of biting with normal radiographs suggests a crack.

  • D. Periapical abscess

    A periapical abscess has percussion tenderness and radiographic change.

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 C, Cracked tooth syndrome. Cracked tooth syndrome causes pain on biting, especially on release, and is localised using a bite stick on individual cusps.

Why is "Irreversible pulpitis" not the answer?

Irreversible pulpitis gives lingering spontaneous pain.

Why is "Trigeminal neuralgia" not the answer?

Trigeminal neuralgia causes brief shocks triggered by touch and not by biting on a single cusp.

Why is "Periapical abscess" not the answer?

A periapical abscess has percussion tenderness and radiographic change.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: cracked tooth syndrome in Dentistry. Radiographs are usually normal because the crack runs in a plane that does not appear.

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 Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: cracked tooth syndrome?

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.