Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: arthrocentesis: 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 and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: arthrocentesis

Sample item

A patient with a closed lock of the temporomandibular joint has not improved after splint therapy, analgesics and exercises. Which minimally invasive procedure is the next step?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Arthrocentesis

Arthrocentesis lavages the upper joint space with saline, removing inflammatory mediators and breaking adhesions, and often restores mouth opening. More invasive operations are kept for failures.

Option by option

  • A. Arthrocentesis (correct)

    Correct. Lavage of the joint is the least invasive surgical step after conservative therapy fails.

  • B. Gap arthroplasty

    Gap arthroplasty is done to treat bony ankylosis.

  • C. Condylectomy

    Condylectomy removes the condyle and is a major operation for specific indications.

  • D. Total joint replacement

    Joint replacement is reserved for end-stage joint disease.

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 A, Arthrocentesis. Arthrocentesis lavages the upper joint space with saline, removing inflammatory mediators and breaking adhesions, and often restores mouth opening.

Why is "Gap arthroplasty" not the answer?

Gap arthroplasty is done to treat bony ankylosis.

Why is "Condylectomy" not the answer?

Condylectomy removes the condyle and is a major operation for specific indications.

Why is "Total joint replacement" not the answer?

Joint replacement is reserved for end-stage joint disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: arthrocentesis in Dentistry. More invasive operations are kept for failures.

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 Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: arthrocentesis?

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.