Dental materials and radiology: gypsum products: 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.

Try it

Dentistry · Dental materials and radiology: gypsum products

Sample item

A technician pours a working cast that must be strong and resist abrasion. Which gypsum product is preferred over dental plaster?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Dental stone

Dental stone (alpha hemihydrate) uses less water than plaster (beta hemihydrate), so it is denser and stronger. Both are forms of calcium sulphate hemihydrate.

Option by option

  • A. Investment

    Investment is for casting metal patterns.

  • B. Plaster of Paris

    Plaster is weaker and is used for study models.

  • C. Alginate

    Alginate is an impression material, not a gypsum cast.

  • D. Dental stone (correct)

    Correct. Dental stone gives a harder, stronger cast.

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 D, Dental stone. Dental stone (alpha hemihydrate) uses less water than plaster (beta hemihydrate), so it is denser and stronger.

Why is "Investment" not the answer?

Investment is for casting metal patterns.

Why is "Plaster of Paris" not the answer?

Plaster is weaker and is used for study models.

Why is "Alginate" not the answer?

Alginate is an impression material, not a gypsum cast.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dental materials and radiology: gypsum products in Dentistry. Both are forms of calcium sulphate hemihydrate.

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 Dental materials and radiology: gypsum products?

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.