Periodontology: furcation involvement: 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 · Periodontology: furcation involvement

Sample item

In a molar with periodontitis, a probe enters the furcation from the buccal aspect but does not pass completely through to the opposite side. Which furcation grade is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Grade II furcation involvement

Grade II furcation involvement is a cul-de-sac lesion: the probe enters the furcation but cannot pass all the way through. Grade I is incipient involvement, whereas Grade III is through-and-through loss of interradicular bone.

Option by option

  • A. Grade III furcation involvement

    Grade III permits through-and-through passage of the probe.

  • B. Grade II furcation involvement (correct)

    Correct. Partial horizontal penetration without through-and-through passage defines Grade II.

  • C. No furcation involvement

    No furcation involvement means there is no detectable pathological probe entry into the furcation.

  • D. Grade I furcation involvement

    Grade I is an early, shallow horizontal loss that usually does not permit substantial probe entry.

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 B, Grade II furcation involvement. Grade II furcation involvement is a cul-de-sac lesion: the probe enters the furcation but cannot pass all the way through.

Why is "Grade III furcation involvement" not the answer?

Grade III permits through-and-through passage of the probe.

Why is "No furcation involvement" not the answer?

No furcation involvement means there is no detectable pathological probe entry into the furcation.

Why is "Grade I furcation involvement" not the answer?

Grade I is an early, shallow horizontal loss that usually does not permit substantial probe entry.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Periodontology: furcation involvement in Dentistry. Grade I is incipient involvement, whereas Grade III is through-and-through loss of interradicular bone.

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 Periodontology: furcation involvement?

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.