Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: radicular cyst: 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 · Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: radicular cyst

Sample item

A round, well-defined radiolucency attached to the apex of a non-vital upper lateral incisor is found. Which is the commonest odontogenic cyst and the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Radicular cyst

A radicular (periapical) cyst arises from epithelial rests of Malassez stimulated by chronic apical inflammation of a non-vital tooth. It is the commonest odontogenic cyst.

Option by option

  • A. Lateral periodontal cyst

    A lateral periodontal cyst lies beside the root of a vital tooth.

  • B. Radicular cyst (correct)

    Correct. A cyst at the apex of a non-vital tooth is radicular.

  • C. Dentigerous cyst

    A dentigerous cyst surrounds the crown of an unerupted tooth.

  • D. Odontogenic keratocyst

    Keratocysts are developmental and often in the posterior mandible.

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 B, Radicular cyst. A radicular (periapical) cyst arises from epithelial rests of Malassez stimulated by chronic apical inflammation of a non-vital tooth.

Why is "Lateral periodontal cyst" not the answer?

A lateral periodontal cyst lies beside the root of a vital tooth.

Why is "Dentigerous cyst" not the answer?

A dentigerous cyst surrounds the crown of an unerupted tooth.

Why is "Odontogenic keratocyst" not the answer?

Keratocysts are developmental and often in the posterior mandible.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: radicular cyst in Dentistry. It is the commonest odontogenic cyst.

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 Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: radicular cyst?

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.