Tooth development and dental anatomy: Turner tooth: 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: Turner tooth

Sample item

An 11-year-old has a single permanent premolar with a brown, pitted crown. History reveals a periapical abscess of the preceding primary molar at age 4. What is the best explanation?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Enamel hypoplasia due to infection of the primary predecessor

A Turner tooth is localised enamel hypoplasia of a permanent tooth caused by infection or trauma to the overlying primary tooth. The affected germ lies close to the root apex of the primary tooth.

Option by option

  • A. Congenital syphilis

    Congenital syphilis affects incisors and first molars in a pattern, with other systemic stigmata.

  • B. Dental fluorosis

    Fluorosis affects many teeth symmetrically, not a single tooth.

  • C. Amelogenesis imperfecta

    Amelogenesis imperfecta is generalised and hereditary.

  • D. Enamel hypoplasia due to infection of the primary predecessor (correct)

    Correct. Infection of the primary predecessor damaged the ameloblasts of the developing premolar.

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, Enamel hypoplasia due to infection of the primary predecessor. A Turner tooth is localised enamel hypoplasia of a permanent tooth caused by infection or trauma to the overlying primary tooth.

Why is "Congenital syphilis" not the answer?

Congenital syphilis affects incisors and first molars in a pattern, with other systemic stigmata.

Why is "Dental fluorosis" not the answer?

Fluorosis affects many teeth symmetrically, not a single tooth.

Why is "Amelogenesis imperfecta" not the answer?

Amelogenesis imperfecta is generalised and hereditary.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Tooth development and dental anatomy: Turner tooth in Dentistry. The affected germ lies close to the root apex of the primary tooth.

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: Turner tooth?

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.