Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: stages of gingivitis: 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: stages of gingivitis

Sample item

In the Page and Schroeder histopathological description of gingivitis, which cell predominates in the established lesion?

APlasma cellsBMacrophagesCMast cellsDNeutrophils

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Plasma cells

The initial lesion is dominated by neutrophils, the early lesion by lymphocytes, and the established lesion by plasma cells, with continuing inflammation but no bone loss. The advanced lesion has bone loss and is periodontitis. The established lesion may persist for years.

Option by option

A. Plasma cells (correct)
Correct. Plasma cells predominate in the established lesion.
B. Macrophages
Macrophages are present but are not the predominant cell.
C. Mast cells
Mast cells are present but do not predominate.
D. Neutrophils
Neutrophils dominate the initial lesion within days.

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 A, Plasma cells. The initial lesion is dominated by neutrophils, the early lesion by lymphocytes, and the established lesion by plasma cells, with continuing inflammation but no bone loss.

Why is "Macrophages" not the answer?

Macrophages are present but are not the predominant cell.

Why is "Mast cells" not the answer?

Mast cells are present but do not predominate.

Why is "Neutrophils" not the answer?

Neutrophils dominate the initial lesion within days.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: stages of gingivitis in Dentistry. The advanced lesion has bone loss and is periodontitis. The established lesion may persist for years.

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: stages of gingivitis?

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.