Tooth development and dental anatomy: dentinogenesis imperfecta: 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: dentinogenesis imperfecta

Sample item

A child has grey-brown, translucent opalescent teeth that wear down rapidly. Radiographs show bulbous crowns, cervical constriction and obliterated pulp chambers. Which tissue is primarily defective?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Dentine

This picture is dentinogenesis imperfecta, a hereditary dentine defect. Enamel tends to chip off the abnormal dentine, causing rapid attrition.

Option by option

  • A. Alveolar bone

    Bone is not the target tissue; osteogenesis imperfecta may coexist but the tooth defect is in dentine.

  • B. Enamel

    In amelogenesis imperfecta the enamel is defective, and the pulp chambers are normally shaped.

  • C. Dentine (correct)

    Correct. The inherited defect lies in dentine, with obliterated pulp chambers.

  • D. Cementum

    Cementum is not the primary tissue affected in this disorder.

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 C, Dentine. This picture is dentinogenesis imperfecta, a hereditary dentine defect.

Why is "Alveolar bone" not the answer?

Bone is not the target tissue; osteogenesis imperfecta may coexist but the tooth defect is in dentine.

Why is "Enamel" not the answer?

In amelogenesis imperfecta the enamel is defective, and the pulp chambers are normally shaped.

Why is "Cementum" not the answer?

Cementum is not the primary tissue affected in this disorder.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Tooth development and dental anatomy: dentinogenesis imperfecta in Dentistry. Enamel tends to chip off the abnormal dentine, causing rapid attrition.

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: dentinogenesis imperfecta?

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.