Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: vertical root fracture: 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 · Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: vertical root fracture

Sample item

A molar root-filled with a post three years ago now has a narrow, isolated deep probing defect on one root surface only, with normal probing on the adjacent surfaces. Radiographs show a halo-like radiolucency along the side of the root. What is the diagnosis?

AVertical root fractureBInternal root resorptionCGeneralised chronic periodontitisDFailed apical seal with apical periodontitis alone

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Vertical root fracture

A narrow, isolated, deep pocket beside a root-filled, post-restored tooth with a lateral or J-shaped radiolucency suggests a vertical root fracture. The prognosis is poor and the usual treatment is extraction, or removal of the fractured root in a multirooted tooth.

Option by option

A. Vertical root fracture (correct)
Correct. A single narrow deep pocket with lateral bone loss in a root-filled tooth indicates a vertical root fracture.
B. Internal root resorption
Internal resorption is a balloon-like canal enlargement and does not cause a narrow pocket.
C. Generalised chronic periodontitis
Generalised chronic periodontitis gives wider, multi-site pockets and not one isolated defect.
D. Failed apical seal with apical periodontitis alone
A leaking apical seal causes an apical radiolucency without a lateral halo or narrow isolated pocket.

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, Vertical root fracture. A narrow, isolated, deep pocket beside a root-filled, post-restored tooth with a lateral or J-shaped radiolucency suggests a vertical root fracture.

Why is "Internal root resorption" not the answer?

Internal resorption is a balloon-like canal enlargement and does not cause a narrow pocket.

Why is "Generalised chronic periodontitis" not the answer?

Generalised chronic periodontitis gives wider, multi-site pockets and not one isolated defect.

Why is "Failed apical seal with apical periodontitis alone" not the answer?

A leaking apical seal causes an apical radiolucency without a lateral halo or narrow isolated pocket.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: vertical root fracture in Dentistry. The prognosis is poor and the usual treatment is extraction, or removal of the fractured root in a multirooted tooth.

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 Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: vertical root fracture?

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.