Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: biologic width violation: 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: biologic width violation

Sample item

Six months after a porcelain crown on a maxillary central incisor, the gingiva is persistently red and swollen despite good oral hygiene. A radiograph shows the crown margin almost at the crest of the alveolar bone. What is the problem and the treatment?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Biologic width violation, treated by surgical crown lengthening

A margin placed too close to the bone invades the space needed for connective tissue and epithelial attachment. The result is chronic inflammation, and crown lengthening restores the space.

Option by option

  • A. Marginal gap, treated by recementing the crown

    Recementing does not move a margin that sits too deep.

  • B. Nickel allergy, treated by replacing the metal

    A metal allergy would not fit a porcelain crown with a bone-level margin.

  • C. Plaque gingivitis, treated by oral hygiene instruction alone

    Hygiene is already good, so instruction alone will not help.

  • D. Biologic width violation, treated by surgical crown lengthening (correct)

    Correct. The margin intrudes on the biologic width and needs crown lengthening.

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, Biologic width violation, treated by surgical crown lengthening. A margin placed too close to the bone invades the space needed for connective tissue and epithelial attachment.

Why is "Marginal gap, treated by recementing the crown" not the answer?

Recementing does not move a margin that sits too deep.

Why is "Nickel allergy, treated by replacing the metal" not the answer?

A metal allergy would not fit a porcelain crown with a bone-level margin.

Why is "Plaque gingivitis, treated by oral hygiene instruction alone" not the answer?

Hygiene is already good, so instruction alone will not help.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: biologic width violation in Dentistry. The result is chronic inflammation, and crown lengthening restores the space.

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 Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: biologic width violation?

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.