Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: indirect pulp treatment: 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 · Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: indirect pulp treatment

Sample item

A 6-year-old has a deep occlusal lesion in a lower first primary molar with brief pain to cold, no spontaneous pain and no periapical change. What treatment is best?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Indirect pulp treatment

In a deep lesion without signs of irreversible pulpitis, leaving a thin layer of affected dentine and sealing it allows the pulp to recover. This avoids exposing the pulp.

Option by option

  • A. Direct pulp capping with MTA

    Direct capping is for a pulp exposure, which is absent here.

  • B. Pulpectomy

    Pulpectomy is for non-vital or irreversibly inflamed pulp.

  • C. Extraction

    Extraction is excessive for a vital tooth.

  • D. Indirect pulp treatment (correct)

    Correct. The pulp is vital and reversibly inflamed.

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, Indirect pulp treatment. In a deep lesion without signs of irreversible pulpitis, leaving a thin layer of affected dentine and sealing it allows the pulp to recover.

Why is "Direct pulp capping with MTA" not the answer?

Direct capping is for a pulp exposure, which is absent here.

Why is "Pulpectomy" not the answer?

Pulpectomy is for non-vital or irreversibly inflamed pulp.

Why is "Extraction" not the answer?

Extraction is excessive for a vital tooth.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: indirect pulp treatment in Dentistry. This avoids exposing the pulp.

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 Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: indirect pulp treatment?

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.