Oral and maxillofacial surgery: classification of impacted third molars: 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 · Oral and maxillofacial surgery: classification of impacted third molars

Sample item

A surgeon records a lower third molar as 'mesioangular' on the Winter classification. What does this mean?

AThe tooth is invertedBThe tooth lies horizontallyCThe long axis of the tooth is tilted toward the second molarDThe tooth lies buccal to the arch

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. The long axis of the tooth is tilted toward the second molar

Winter classifies impaction by the angulation of the third molar to the second molar, mesioangular being the most common. Pell and Gregory classify by depth and the space available in the ramus.

Option by option

A. The tooth is inverted
An inverted tooth is termed distoangular or inverted.
B. The tooth lies horizontally
A horizontal tooth is termed horizontal impaction.
C. The long axis of the tooth is tilted toward the second molar (correct)
Correct. Mesioangular means the crown is tilted toward the second molar.
D. The tooth lies buccal to the arch
Buccal position is not a Winter category.

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.

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, The long axis of the tooth is tilted toward the second molar. Winter classifies impaction by the angulation of the third molar to the second molar, mesioangular being the most common.

Why is "The tooth is inverted" not the answer?

An inverted tooth is termed distoangular or inverted.

Why is "The tooth lies horizontally" not the answer?

A horizontal tooth is termed horizontal impaction.

Why is "The tooth lies buccal to the arch" not the answer?

Buccal position is not a Winter category.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral and maxillofacial surgery: classification of impacted third molars in Dentistry. Pell and Gregory classify by depth and the space available in the ramus.

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 Oral and maxillofacial surgery: classification of impacted third molars?

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.