Orthodontics: management of avulsed tooth: 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: management of avulsed tooth

Sample item

A 9-year-old's permanent upper central incisor was knocked out 20 minutes ago and is clean. The child is at the scene with a teacher. What is the best immediate action?

ADiscard it and wait for a prosthesisBWrap it in dry tissue and seek help laterCReplant it at once, or store it in milk and go to the dentist immediatelyDScrub the root with soap

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Replant it at once, or store it in milk and go to the dentist immediately

Immediate replantation gives the best prognosis, as the periodontal ligament cells remain viable for about 30 to 60 minutes when dry. If not possible, milk is the best transport medium. The root surface must not be scrubbed.

Option by option

A. Discard it and wait for a prosthesis
Discarding a viable tooth loses the best treatment.
B. Wrap it in dry tissue and seek help later
Dry storage kills ligament cells quickly.
C. Replant it at once, or store it in milk and go to the dentist immediately (correct)
Correct. Quick replantation or milk storage preserves ligament cells.
D. Scrub the root with soap
Scrubbing removes viable ligament cells.

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, Replant it at once, or store it in milk and go to the dentist immediately. Immediate replantation gives the best prognosis, as the periodontal ligament cells remain viable for about 30 to 60 minutes when dry.

Why is "Discard it and wait for a prosthesis" not the answer?

Discarding a viable tooth loses the best treatment.

Why is "Wrap it in dry tissue and seek help later" not the answer?

Dry storage kills ligament cells quickly.

Why is "Scrub the root with soap" not the answer?

Scrubbing removes viable ligament cells.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Orthodontics: management of avulsed tooth in Dentistry. If not possible, milk is the best transport medium. The root surface must not be scrubbed.

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 Orthodontics: management of avulsed tooth?

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.