Tooth development: enamel repair: 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: enamel repair

Sample item

Why can mature enamel not regenerate after it is lost to wear or caries?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Ameloblasts are lost after eruption, leaving no enamel-forming cells

Ameloblasts degenerate once enamel formation is complete and the tooth erupts, and enamel is acellular and avascular. Only early surface demineralisation can be remineralised, not lost enamel.

Option by option

  • A. Enamel is innervated and repaired by nerves

    Enamel has no nerves.

  • B. Enamel is continuously replaced by blood supply

    Enamel has no blood supply.

  • C. Ameloblasts are lost after eruption, leaving no enamel-forming cells (correct)

    Correct. No cells remain to make new enamel.

  • D. Enamel contains no mineral

    Enamel is mostly mineral.

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, Ameloblasts are lost after eruption, leaving no enamel-forming cells. Ameloblasts degenerate once enamel formation is complete and the tooth erupts, and enamel is acellular and avascular.

Why is "Enamel is innervated and repaired by nerves" not the answer?

Enamel has no nerves.

Why is "Enamel is continuously replaced by blood supply" not the answer?

Enamel has no blood supply.

Why is "Enamel contains no mineral" not the answer?

Enamel is mostly mineral.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Tooth development: enamel repair in Dentistry. Only early surface demineralisation can be remineralised, not lost enamel.

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: enamel repair?

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.