Tooth development and dental anatomy: dens invaginatum: 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 and dental anatomy: dens invaginatum

Sample item

A radiograph of a maxillary lateral incisor shows an enamel-lined invagination of the crown extending toward the root, with a tooth-within-a-tooth appearance. What is this anomaly?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Dens invaginatum

Dens invaginatum (dens in dente) is an infolding of enamel and dentine into the pulp chamber, most often in maxillary lateral incisors. It traps debris and predisposes to early pulp infection.

Option by option

  • A. Concrescence

    Concrescence is union of the roots of two teeth by cementum.

  • B. Taurodontism

    Taurodontism is enlargement of the pulp chamber with apical displacement of the furcation.

  • C. Dilaceration

    Dilaceration is an abrupt bend in the root or crown.

  • D. Dens invaginatum (correct)

    Correct. Enamel-lined invagination gives the tooth-within-tooth image.

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, Dens invaginatum. Dens invaginatum (dens in dente) is an infolding of enamel and dentine into the pulp chamber, most often in maxillary lateral incisors.

Why is "Concrescence" not the answer?

Concrescence is union of the roots of two teeth by cementum.

Why is "Taurodontism" not the answer?

Taurodontism is enlargement of the pulp chamber with apical displacement of the furcation.

Why is "Dilaceration" not the answer?

Dilaceration is an abrupt bend in the root or crown.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Tooth development and dental anatomy: dens invaginatum in Dentistry. It traps debris and predisposes to early pulp infection.

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 and dental anatomy: dens invaginatum?

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.