Maxillofacial surgery: mandibular fracture signs: 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.

Try it

Dentistry · Maxillofacial surgery: mandibular fracture signs

Sample item

After an assault, a man says his teeth do not meet properly and has lower lip numbness and sublingual bruising. What is the likely injury?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Mandibular fracture

Malocclusion, a step in the lower dental arch, sublingual haematoma and numbness from inferior alveolar nerve damage point to a mandibular fracture. Fractures at the angle and body commonly involve the nerve.

Option by option

  • A. Zygomatic fracture

    Zygomatic fractures cause cheek flattening and trismus.

  • B. Le Fort I fracture

    Le Fort I affects the maxilla.

  • C. Mandibular fracture (correct)

    Correct. This cluster fits a mandibular fracture.

  • D. Temporomandibular joint dislocation

    Dislocation causes an open-locked mouth without sublingual bruising.

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.

More Dentistry questions

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Mandibular fracture. Malocclusion, a step in the lower dental arch, sublingual haematoma and numbness from inferior alveolar nerve damage point to a mandibular fracture.

Why is "Zygomatic fracture" not the answer?

Zygomatic fractures cause cheek flattening and trismus.

Why is "Le Fort I fracture" not the answer?

Le Fort I affects the maxilla.

Why is "Temporomandibular joint dislocation" not the answer?

Dislocation causes an open-locked mouth without sublingual bruising.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Maxillofacial surgery: mandibular fracture signs in Dentistry. Fractures at the angle and body commonly involve the nerve.

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 Maxillofacial surgery: mandibular fracture signs?

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.