Dental anatomy: amelogenesis imperfecta: 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 anatomy: amelogenesis imperfecta

Sample item

A child has thin, yellow-brown, pitted teeth in both dentitions, and a sibling is also affected. Dentin and pulp are normal. Which diagnosis fits?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Amelogenesis imperfecta

Amelogenesis imperfecta is an inherited defect of enamel formation, often involving AMELX, with normal dentin. It affects both dentitions and runs in families, unlike acquired causes of enamel defects.

Option by option

  • A. Dentinogenesis imperfecta

    Dentinogenesis imperfecta gives opalescent teeth with defective dentin and obliterated pulps.

  • B. Tetracycline staining

    Tetracycline causes banded staining from drug exposure, not an inherited defect.

  • C. Amelogenesis imperfecta (correct)

    Correct. Familial enamel-only defects suggest amelogenesis imperfecta.

  • D. Dental fluorosis

    Fluorosis depends on environmental exposure and is not familial.

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 C, Amelogenesis imperfecta. Amelogenesis imperfecta is an inherited defect of enamel formation, often involving AMELX, with normal dentin.

Why is "Dentinogenesis imperfecta" not the answer?

Dentinogenesis imperfecta gives opalescent teeth with defective dentin and obliterated pulps.

Why is "Tetracycline staining" not the answer?

Tetracycline causes banded staining from drug exposure, not an inherited defect.

Why is "Dental fluorosis" not the answer?

Fluorosis depends on environmental exposure and is not familial.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dental anatomy: amelogenesis imperfecta in Dentistry. It affects both dentitions and runs in families, unlike acquired causes of enamel defects.

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 anatomy: amelogenesis imperfecta?

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.