Tooth development and dental anatomy: pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption: 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 · Tooth development and dental anatomy: pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption

Sample item

A 7-year-old has no caries and has never had trauma. A bitewing and panoramic film show a well-defined radiolucency in the dentine beneath the occlusal enamel of an unerupted mandibular second premolar. The enamel over it is intact. What is the most likely diagnosis?

APre-eruptive intracoronal resorptionBInternal root resorptionCDentine dysplasiaDHidden occlusal caries

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption

Pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption is a radiolucent defect in the dentine beneath the occlusal enamel of an unerupted tooth, believed to be caused by resorptive cells entering through the enamel-dentine junction. Caries needs oral bacteria and cannot occur in an unerupted crown. The tooth is usually restored after eruption because the defect can then become carious.

Option by option

A. Pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption (correct)
Correct. A resorptive defect under intact enamel in an unerupted crown is typical.
B. Internal root resorption
Internal resorption begins in the pulp space and follows pulpal injury or inflammation.
C. Dentine dysplasia
Dentine dysplasia is a generalised developmental defect with abnormal pulp and roots, not a focal crown lesion.
D. Hidden occlusal caries
Caries requires exposure to the oral flora, which an unerupted tooth has not had.

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, Pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption. Pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption is a radiolucent defect in the dentine beneath the occlusal enamel of an unerupted tooth, believed to be caused by resorptive cells entering through the enamel-dentine junction.

Why is "Internal root resorption" not the answer?

Internal resorption begins in the pulp space and follows pulpal injury or inflammation.

Why is "Dentine dysplasia" not the answer?

Dentine dysplasia is a generalised developmental defect with abnormal pulp and roots, not a focal crown lesion.

Why is "Hidden occlusal caries" not the answer?

Caries requires exposure to the oral flora, which an unerupted tooth has not had.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Tooth development and dental anatomy: pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption in Dentistry. Caries needs oral bacteria and cannot occur in an unerupted crown. The tooth is usually restored after eruption because the defect can then become carious.

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 Tooth development and dental anatomy: pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption?

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.