Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: resorption: 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 · Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: resorption

Sample item

Routine radiographs of a traumatised, asymptomatic upper incisor show a round, well-defined enlargement of the pulp chamber. The crown looks pink through the enamel. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Internal resorption

Internal resorption begins in the pulp and enlarges the canal symmetrically; the highly vascular tissue may show through the crown as the pink tooth of Mummery. Endodontic treatment halts it.

Option by option

  • A. Dens invaginatum

    Dens invaginatum is a developmental enamel infolding seen as a tooth-within-a-tooth.

  • B. External cervical resorption

    External cervical resorption begins at the root surface, with an irregular radiolucency at the neck.

  • C. Hypercementosis

    Hypercementosis thickens the root, not the pulp space.

  • D. Internal resorption (correct)

    Correct. A symmetrical canal expansion and pink crown suggest internal resorption.

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, Internal resorption. Internal resorption begins in the pulp and enlarges the canal symmetrically; the highly vascular tissue may show through the crown as the pink tooth of Mummery.

Why is "Dens invaginatum" not the answer?

Dens invaginatum is a developmental enamel infolding seen as a tooth-within-a-tooth.

Why is "External cervical resorption" not the answer?

External cervical resorption begins at the root surface, with an irregular radiolucency at the neck.

Why is "Hypercementosis" not the answer?

Hypercementosis thickens the root, not the pulp space.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: resorption in Dentistry. Endodontic treatment halts it.

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 Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: resorption?

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.