Oral and maxillofacial surgery: oroantral communication: 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 and maxillofacial surgery: oroantral communication

Sample item

After extraction of an upper first molar, a patient blowing the nose finds air bubbling into the socket and fluid regurgitates into the nose. What is the complication?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Oroantral communication

The roots of upper molars lie close to the maxillary sinus floor, and an extraction can open a communication into the antrum. Small ones close spontaneously, while larger ones need a flap closure.

Option by option

  • A. Dry socket

    Dry socket is painful with an empty socket but no air passage.

  • B. Dislocated condyle

    Dislocation affects the jaw joint, not the socket.

  • C. Oroantral communication (correct)

    Correct. Air and fluid passing between mouth and nose indicate oroantral communication.

  • D. Osteomyelitis

    Osteomyelitis shows persistent infection with swelling.

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, Oroantral communication. The roots of upper molars lie close to the maxillary sinus floor, and an extraction can open a communication into the antrum.

Why is "Dry socket" not the answer?

Dry socket is painful with an empty socket but no air passage.

Why is "Dislocated condyle" not the answer?

Dislocation affects the jaw joint, not the socket.

Why is "Osteomyelitis" not the answer?

Osteomyelitis shows persistent infection with swelling.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral and maxillofacial surgery: oroantral communication in Dentistry. Small ones close spontaneously, while larger ones need a flap closure.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 and maxillofacial surgery: oroantral communication?

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.