Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: third molar in a fracture line: 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 · Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: third molar in a fracture line

Sample item

A mandibular angle fracture runs through the socket of an impacted lower third molar. The tooth is firmly held, with no infection or caries. What is the best approach?

ARemove it only after one yearBRetain the tooth and fix the fractureCExtract every third molar in a fracture lineDExtract it only if the fracture is open to the skin

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Retain the tooth and fix the fracture

A stable, uninfected third molar in the line can be retained because it helps support the reduction. It is removed if mobile, infected, carious or if it blocks reduction.

Option by option

A. Remove it only after one year
A fixed delay offers no benefit and ignores the reasons for removal.
B. Retain the tooth and fix the fracture (correct)
Correct. A stable and healthy tooth can be retained.
C. Extract every third molar in a fracture line
Routine extraction removes bone and weakens the fixation.
D. Extract it only if the fracture is open to the skin
The skin is not the decider for removal.

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.

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, Retain the tooth and fix the fracture. A stable, uninfected third molar in the line can be retained because it helps support the reduction.

Why is "Remove it only after one year" not the answer?

A fixed delay offers no benefit and ignores the reasons for removal.

Why is "Extract every third molar in a fracture line" not the answer?

Routine extraction removes bone and weakens the fixation.

Why is "Extract it only if the fracture is open to the skin" not the answer?

The skin is not the decider for removal.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: third molar in a fracture line in Dentistry. It is removed if mobile, infected, carious or if it blocks reduction.

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 Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: third molar in a fracture line?

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.