Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: pericoronitis: 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: pericoronitis

Sample item

A 20-year-old has trismus, bad taste, and swollen painful gum over a partially erupted lower third molar. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Acute pericoronitis

Pericoronitis is inflammation of the soft tissue flap (operculum) covering a partly erupted tooth, most often the lower third molar. Irrigation, antibiotics when needed and later operculectomy or extraction are used.

Option by option

  • A. Dentigerous cyst

    A dentigerous cyst is usually painless unless infected.

  • B. Acute pericoronitis (correct)

    Correct. A partially erupted lower third molar with flap infection defines pericoronitis.

  • C. Dry socket

    Dry socket follows a recent extraction.

  • D. Ludwig angina

    Ludwig angina is a bilateral submandibular space cellulitis with airway risk.

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.

More Dentistry questions

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is B, Acute pericoronitis. Pericoronitis is inflammation of the soft tissue flap (operculum) covering a partly erupted tooth, most often the lower third molar.

Why is "Dentigerous cyst" not the answer?

A dentigerous cyst is usually painless unless infected.

Why is "Dry socket" not the answer?

Dry socket follows a recent extraction.

Why is "Ludwig angina" not the answer?

Ludwig angina is a bilateral submandibular space cellulitis with airway risk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: pericoronitis in Dentistry. Irrigation, antibiotics when needed and later operculectomy or extraction are used.

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: pericoronitis?

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.