Orthodontics: ugly duckling stage: 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 · Orthodontics: ugly duckling stage

Sample item

A 9-year-old has a midline diastema with flared upper lateral incisors as the canines are about to erupt. Parents are worried, and the child is otherwise healthy. What is the advice?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Observe, because it commonly closes after canine eruption

The ugly duckling stage is a normal phase of transient diastema as the unerupted canines push the lateral incisor roots mesially. It generally corrects after the canines erupt.

Option by option

  • A. Observe, because it commonly closes after canine eruption (correct)

    Correct. The stage is self-correcting.

  • B. Lifelong retainer

    No retainer is required for a normal developmental stage.

  • C. Urgent frenectomy

    A frenectomy is not needed until after canine eruption if the space persists.

  • D. Immediate surgical extraction of the laterals

    Extraction is unnecessary.

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 A, Observe, because it commonly closes after canine eruption. The ugly duckling stage is a normal phase of transient diastema as the unerupted canines push the lateral incisor roots mesially.

Why is "Lifelong retainer" not the answer?

No retainer is required for a normal developmental stage.

Why is "Urgent frenectomy" not the answer?

A frenectomy is not needed until after canine eruption if the space persists.

Why is "Immediate surgical extraction of the laterals" not the answer?

Extraction is unnecessary.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Orthodontics: ugly duckling stage in Dentistry. It generally corrects after the canines erupt.

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 Orthodontics: ugly duckling stage?

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.