Dental materials and radiology: osteopetrosis: 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 · Dental materials and radiology: osteopetrosis

Sample item

A child with pancytopenia and dense bones has a jaw infection after an extraction that does not heal. Which disease is likely?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Osteopetrosis

Osteopetrosis results from defective osteoclast function causing dense brittle bone, marrow failure and poor blood supply that makes the jaw prone to osteomyelitis. Delayed tooth eruption is common.

Option by option

  • A. Fibrous dysplasia

    Fibrous dysplasia does not cause pancytopenia.

  • B. Paget disease

    Paget disease occurs in older adults.

  • C. Osteopetrosis (correct)

    Correct. Marble bone with marrow failure and osteomyelitis suggests osteopetrosis.

  • D. Rickets

    Rickets causes soft bones, not dense bone.

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, Osteopetrosis. Osteopetrosis results from defective osteoclast function causing dense brittle bone, marrow failure and poor blood supply that makes the jaw prone to osteomyelitis.

Why is "Fibrous dysplasia" not the answer?

Fibrous dysplasia does not cause pancytopenia.

Why is "Paget disease" not the answer?

Paget disease occurs in older adults.

Why is "Rickets" not the answer?

Rickets causes soft bones, not dense bone.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dental materials and radiology: osteopetrosis in Dentistry. Delayed tooth eruption is common.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: osteopetrosis?

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.