Orthodontics: Down syndrome oral features: 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 · Orthodontics: Down syndrome oral features

Sample item

A 12-year-old with Down syndrome has a large fissured tongue, delayed eruption and severe gingival destruction around lower incisors despite little plaque. What explains the periodontal state?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Impaired neutrophil chemotaxis and immune dysfunction

Patients with Down syndrome have early severe periodontitis out of proportion to plaque, due to defective neutrophil function and altered immunity. Other oral signs include macroglossia, hypodontia and delayed eruption.

Option by option

  • A. High calcium intake

    High calcium intake has no role.

  • B. Impaired neutrophil chemotaxis and immune dysfunction (correct)

    Correct. Immune defects drive the periodontal destruction.

  • C. Overgrowth of the mandible

    The mandible is usually relatively small, not overgrown.

  • D. Excess salivary flow

    Salivary flow is not excessive.

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 B, Impaired neutrophil chemotaxis and immune dysfunction. Patients with Down syndrome have early severe periodontitis out of proportion to plaque, due to defective neutrophil function and altered immunity.

Why is "High calcium intake" not the answer?

High calcium intake has no role.

Why is "Overgrowth of the mandible" not the answer?

The mandible is usually relatively small, not overgrown.

Why is "Excess salivary flow" not the answer?

Salivary flow is not excessive.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Orthodontics: Down syndrome oral features in Dentistry. Other oral signs include macroglossia, hypodontia and delayed eruption.

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: Down syndrome oral features?

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.