Dental radiology: condensing osteitis: 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 · Dental radiology: condensing osteitis

Sample item

A lower first molar with a large carious lesion shows widened periodontal space and a uniform radiopacity at the apex that is not fused to the root. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Condensing osteitis

Condensing osteitis is a sclerotic bone reaction to low-grade pulpal inflammation, seen as a radiopacity next to the apex of a non-vital or inflamed tooth. Cementoblastoma fuses with the root of a vital tooth.

Option by option

  • A. Periapical abscess

    An abscess is radiolucent.

  • B. Radicular cyst

    A radicular cyst is radiolucent.

  • C. Cementoblastoma

    Cementoblastoma is fused to the root and the tooth is vital.

  • D. Condensing osteitis (correct)

    Correct. Low-grade infection causes bone sclerosis.

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 D, Condensing osteitis. Condensing osteitis is a sclerotic bone reaction to low-grade pulpal inflammation, seen as a radiopacity next to the apex of a non-vital or inflamed tooth.

Why is "Periapical abscess" not the answer?

An abscess is radiolucent.

Why is "Radicular cyst" not the answer?

A radicular cyst is radiolucent.

Why is "Cementoblastoma" not the answer?

Cementoblastoma is fused to the root and the tooth is vital.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dental radiology: condensing osteitis in Dentistry. Cementoblastoma fuses with the root of a vital tooth.

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 Dental radiology: condensing osteitis?

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.