Orthodontics: cephalometric angles: 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 · Orthodontics: cephalometric angles

Sample item

A lateral cephalogram gives SNA of 82 degrees and SNB of 74 degrees. What is the skeletal pattern and ANB?

ASkeletal Class I with ANB of 0BSkeletal Class I with ANB of 2CSkeletal Class II with ANB of 8 degreesDSkeletal Class III with ANB of minus 8

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Skeletal Class II with ANB of 8 degrees

ANB is the difference between SNA and SNB, so here it equals 8 degrees, indicating a skeletal Class II pattern because the mandible is retrusive relative to the maxilla. Normal ANB is about 2 degrees.

Option by option

A. Skeletal Class I with ANB of 0
ANB of 0 would give Class I only if SNA equals SNB.
B. Skeletal Class I with ANB of 2
A value of 2 degrees is normal and does not match these figures.
C. Skeletal Class II with ANB of 8 degrees (correct)
Correct. 82 minus 74 gives 8 degrees, a skeletal Class II.
D. Skeletal Class III with ANB of minus 8
Class III would show a negative ANB.

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.

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Skeletal Class II with ANB of 8 degrees. ANB is the difference between SNA and SNB, so here it equals 8 degrees, indicating a skeletal Class II pattern because the mandible is retrusive relative to the maxilla.

Why is "Skeletal Class I with ANB of 0" not the answer?

ANB of 0 would give Class I only if SNA equals SNB.

Why is "Skeletal Class I with ANB of 2" not the answer?

A value of 2 degrees is normal and does not match these figures.

Why is "Skeletal Class III with ANB of minus 8" not the answer?

Class III would show a negative ANB.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Orthodontics: cephalometric angles in Dentistry. Normal ANB is about 2 degrees.

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 Orthodontics: cephalometric angles?

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.