Tooth development and dental anatomy: hypophosphatasia: 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: hypophosphatasia

Sample item

A 2-year-old with poor bone mineralisation and low serum alkaline phosphatase has premature loss of primary incisors with intact roots. Which condition is likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia is caused by a deficiency of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, causing defective cementum formation. Teeth are shed early with the roots intact because the periodontal attachment fails.

Option by option

  • A. Hypophosphatasia (correct)

    Correct. Low alkaline phosphatase with early loss of intact teeth is characteristic.

  • B. Cyclic neutropenia

    Cyclic neutropenia causes recurrent infection and gingivitis, but alkaline phosphatase is normal.

  • C. Papillon-Lefevre syndrome

    Papillon-Lefevre syndrome shows palmoplantar keratoderma and severe periodontitis, with normal alkaline phosphatase.

  • D. Vitamin C deficiency

    Scurvy causes gingival bleeding but not premature loss of intact primary teeth with low enzyme levels.

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 A, Hypophosphatasia. Hypophosphatasia is caused by a deficiency of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, causing defective cementum formation.

Why is "Cyclic neutropenia" not the answer?

Cyclic neutropenia causes recurrent infection and gingivitis, but alkaline phosphatase is normal.

Why is "Papillon-Lefevre syndrome" not the answer?

Papillon-Lefevre syndrome shows palmoplantar keratoderma and severe periodontitis, with normal alkaline phosphatase.

Why is "Vitamin C deficiency" not the answer?

Scurvy causes gingival bleeding but not premature loss of intact primary teeth with low enzyme levels.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Tooth development and dental anatomy: hypophosphatasia in Dentistry. Teeth are shed early with the roots intact because the periodontal attachment fails.

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 Tooth development and dental anatomy: hypophosphatasia?

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.