Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: hereditary gingival fibromatosis: 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: hereditary gingival fibromatosis

Sample item

A 10-year-old has firm, pink, non-bleeding, generalised gingival overgrowth that partly covers the crowns. His father has a similar condition, and there is no drug history. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Hereditary gingival fibromatosis

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis is usually autosomal dominant, with firm, pink, fibrous overgrowth of keratinised gingiva that begins in childhood. Inflammatory enlargement is soft and bleeds easily, and treatment of the hereditary form is by gingivectomy, which may recur.

Option by option

  • A. Leukaemic gingival infiltration

    Leukaemic infiltration is a spongy, bluish-red, bleeding enlargement with systemic signs.

  • B. Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (correct)

    Correct. Firm, pink, non-bleeding overgrowth with a family history and no drug exposure fits hereditary fibromatosis.

  • C. Plaque-induced inflammatory enlargement

    Plaque-induced enlargement is soft, red and bleeds easily, and it improves with hygiene.

  • D. Phenytoin-induced overgrowth

    Phenytoin overgrowth needs drug exposure, which this child does not have.

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, Hereditary gingival fibromatosis. Hereditary gingival fibromatosis is usually autosomal dominant, with firm, pink, fibrous overgrowth of keratinised gingiva that begins in childhood.

Why is "Leukaemic gingival infiltration" not the answer?

Leukaemic infiltration is a spongy, bluish-red, bleeding enlargement with systemic signs.

Why is "Plaque-induced inflammatory enlargement" not the answer?

Plaque-induced enlargement is soft, red and bleeds easily, and it improves with hygiene.

Why is "Phenytoin-induced overgrowth" not the answer?

Phenytoin overgrowth needs drug exposure, which this child does not have.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: hereditary gingival fibromatosis in Dentistry. Inflammatory enlargement is soft and bleeds easily, and treatment of the hereditary form is by gingivectomy, which may recur.

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: hereditary gingival fibromatosis?

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.