Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: sesamoid and growth spurt: 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 · Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: sesamoid and growth spurt

Sample item

A 12-year-old girl is being considered for a functional appliance timed to her pubertal growth. A hand-wrist radiograph shows an ossified adductor sesamoid of the thumb. What is the interpretation?

AShe is prepubertal, with the spurt years awayBFacial growth is complete and no further change is expectedCThe peak of mandibular growth has already passedDPeak growth velocity is approaching, within about a year

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Peak growth velocity is approaching, within about a year

The sesamoid of the thumb ossifies at about the time the pubertal growth acceleration begins, typically a year or so before peak height velocity. A functional appliance is therefore started around this time to make use of the spurt. Later stages such as capping of the epiphyses indicate that growth is slowing.

Option by option

A. She is prepubertal, with the spurt years away
A prepubertal child would not yet have an ossified sesamoid.
B. Facial growth is complete and no further change is expected
Completion of growth is shown by fusion of the epiphyses, not by sesamoid ossification.
C. The peak of mandibular growth has already passed
After the peak, epiphyseal capping and fusion are the indicators rather than a newly ossified sesamoid.
D. Peak growth velocity is approaching, within about a year (correct)
Correct. Sesamoid ossification marks the onset of the spurt, so peak velocity is near.

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 D, Peak growth velocity is approaching, within about a year. The sesamoid of the thumb ossifies at about the time the pubertal growth acceleration begins, typically a year or so before peak height velocity.

Why is "She is prepubertal, with the spurt years away" not the answer?

A prepubertal child would not yet have an ossified sesamoid.

Why is "Facial growth is complete and no further change is expected" not the answer?

Completion of growth is shown by fusion of the epiphyses, not by sesamoid ossification.

Why is "The peak of mandibular growth has already passed" not the answer?

After the peak, epiphyseal capping and fusion are the indicators rather than a newly ossified sesamoid.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: sesamoid and growth spurt in Dentistry. A functional appliance is therefore started around this time to make use of the spurt. Later stages such as capping of the epiphyses indicate that growth is slowing.

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 Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: sesamoid and growth spurt?

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.