Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: dental erosion: 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: dental erosion

Sample item

A 24-year-old woman with bulimia shows smooth glazed loss of enamel on the palatal surfaces of the upper incisors. What is this pattern called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Erosion

Erosion is chemical loss of tooth tissue without bacteria, caused by acid from gastric reflux, vomiting or diet. Palatal surfaces of upper teeth are most exposed in bulimia.

Option by option

  • A. Attrition

    Attrition is from tooth contact.

  • B. Erosion (correct)

    Correct. Acid from vomiting causes erosion of the palatal surfaces.

  • C. Abfraction

    Abfraction is cervical loss thought to be due to occlusal flexure.

  • D. Abrasion

    Abrasion is from mechanical agents such as a brush.

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, Erosion. Erosion is chemical loss of tooth tissue without bacteria, caused by acid from gastric reflux, vomiting or diet.

Why is "Attrition" not the answer?

Attrition is from tooth contact.

Why is "Abfraction" not the answer?

Abfraction is cervical loss thought to be due to occlusal flexure.

Why is "Abrasion" not the answer?

Abrasion is from mechanical agents such as a brush.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: dental erosion in Dentistry. Palatal surfaces of upper teeth are most exposed in bulimia.

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: dental erosion?

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.