Tooth development and dental anatomy: primary molar root form: 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: primary molar root form

Sample item

On a radiograph of a 6-year-old, the roots of a primary mandibular molar are slender and splay widely around the crown of the developing premolar. What does this form achieve?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Space for the successor's crown between the roots

Primary molar roots are long, slender and widely divergent so that the crowns of the permanent premolars develop between them. This is why a primary molar abscess can affect the successor tooth germ.

Option by option

  • A. Space for the successor's crown between the roots (correct)

    Correct. The divergence makes room for the premolar germ within the furcation.

  • B. Longer retention of the tooth in the arch

    Root form does not determine how long the tooth is retained; shedding depends on the successor.

  • C. Faster root resorption by odontoclasts

    Resorption speed depends on pressure from the successor, not on the divergence of the roots.

  • D. Greater strength against occlusal load

    Slender roots are not stronger, and the form relates to the successor rather than to load.

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 A, Space for the successor's crown between the roots. Primary molar roots are long, slender and widely divergent so that the crowns of the permanent premolars develop between them.

Why is "Longer retention of the tooth in the arch" not the answer?

Root form does not determine how long the tooth is retained; shedding depends on the successor.

Why is "Faster root resorption by odontoclasts" not the answer?

Resorption speed depends on pressure from the successor, not on the divergence of the roots.

Why is "Greater strength against occlusal load" not the answer?

Slender roots are not stronger, and the form relates to the successor rather than to load.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Tooth development and dental anatomy: primary molar root form in Dentistry. This is why a primary molar abscess can affect the successor tooth germ.

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 Tooth development and dental anatomy: primary molar root form?

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.