Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: paradental cyst: 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 pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: paradental cyst

Sample item

A 25-year-old has recurrent pericoronitis around a partially erupted mandibular third molar that is vital. A radiograph shows a radiolucency along the distal and buccal root surface, and the cyst does not enclose the crown. What is the likely diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Paradental cyst

A paradental cyst is an inflammatory cyst arising from the epithelium of the gingival sulcus or reduced enamel epithelium after pericoronitis. It lies on the buccal or distal side of a partially erupted lower third molar that is vital. Enucleation with or without extraction is the treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Dentigerous cyst

    A dentigerous cyst surrounds the crown of an unerupted tooth, usually without inflammation.

  • B. Radicular cyst

    A radicular cyst arises from a non-vital tooth, and this tooth is vital.

  • C. Odontogenic keratocyst

    A keratocyst has no link to pericoronitis and has a characteristic histology.

  • D. Paradental cyst (correct)

    Correct. Pericoronitis, a vital tooth and a lateral lesion fit a paradental cyst.

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 D, Paradental cyst. A paradental cyst is an inflammatory cyst arising from the epithelium of the gingival sulcus or reduced enamel epithelium after pericoronitis.

Why is "Dentigerous cyst" not the answer?

A dentigerous cyst surrounds the crown of an unerupted tooth, usually without inflammation.

Why is "Radicular cyst" not the answer?

A radicular cyst arises from a non-vital tooth, and this tooth is vital.

Why is "Odontogenic keratocyst" not the answer?

A keratocyst has no link to pericoronitis and has a characteristic histology.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: paradental cyst in Dentistry. It lies on the buccal or distal side of a partially erupted lower third molar that is vital. Enucleation with or without extraction is the treatment.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 pathology: cysts and odontogenic tumours: paradental cyst?

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.