Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: guided tissue regeneration: 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 · Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: guided tissue regeneration

Sample item

A barrier membrane is placed over an intrabony periodontal defect during flap surgery. What is its purpose?

ATo exclude gingival epithelium and connective tissue so periodontal ligament cells repopulate the rootBTo increase the width of keratinised gingivaCTo seal the pulp from bacteriaDTo act as a space maintainer for primary molars

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. To exclude gingival epithelium and connective tissue so periodontal ligament cells repopulate the root

Guided tissue regeneration uses a membrane to keep fast-growing epithelium and gingival connective tissue away from the root surface, giving slower periodontal ligament and bone cells the chance to form new attachment. It works best in narrow intrabony defects. Membranes may be resorbable or non-resorbable.

Option by option

A. To exclude gingival epithelium and connective tissue so periodontal ligament cells repopulate the root (correct)
Correct. The membrane selects the cells that regenerate attachment.
B. To increase the width of keratinised gingiva
Widening keratinised gingiva needs a graft.
C. To seal the pulp from bacteria
Pulp protection is a different procedure using liners or capping agents.
D. To act as a space maintainer for primary molars
Space maintainers are orthodontic appliances.

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 A, To exclude gingival epithelium and connective tissue so periodontal ligament cells repopulate the root. Guided tissue regeneration uses a membrane to keep fast-growing epithelium and gingival connective tissue away from the root surface, giving slower periodontal ligament and bone cells the chance to form new attachment.

Why is "To increase the width of keratinised gingiva" not the answer?

Widening keratinised gingiva needs a graft.

Why is "To seal the pulp from bacteria" not the answer?

Pulp protection is a different procedure using liners or capping agents.

Why is "To act as a space maintainer for primary molars" not the answer?

Space maintainers are orthodontic appliances.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: guided tissue regeneration in Dentistry. It works best in narrow intrabony defects. Membranes may be resorbable or non-resorbable.

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 Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: guided tissue regeneration?

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.