Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: pseudo Class III: 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.

Try it

Dentistry · Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: pseudo Class III

Sample item

A 9-year-old has an anterior crossbite. When guided into retruded contact position, the incisors meet edge to edge, and the face looks normal at rest. What is the diagnosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pseudo Class III malocclusion

In pseudo Class III malocclusion, a premature incisal contact makes the mandible slide forward on closure, giving an anterior crossbite, but the child can reach an edge-to-edge relation in retruded contact. It is treated early, for example by tipping the maxillary incisors forward, to remove the functional shift. A true skeletal Class III has no such retrusion.

Option by option

  • A. Pseudo Class III malocclusion (correct)

    Correct. The ability to retrude to edge-to-edge shows a functional forward slide.

  • B. Class II division 2 malocclusion

    Class II division 2 has retroclined upper incisors with a deep overbite, not a crossbite.

  • C. Class I bimaxillary protrusion

    Bimaxillary protrusion has proclined incisors in both arches with no anterior crossbite.

  • D. True skeletal Class III malocclusion

    In a true skeletal Class III, the mandible cannot be retruded to an edge-to-edge bite.

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.

More Dentistry questions

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is A, Pseudo Class III malocclusion. In pseudo Class III malocclusion, a premature incisal contact makes the mandible slide forward on closure, giving an anterior crossbite, but the child can reach an edge-to-edge relation in retruded contact.

Why is "Class II division 2 malocclusion" not the answer?

Class II division 2 has retroclined upper incisors with a deep overbite, not a crossbite.

Why is "Class I bimaxillary protrusion" not the answer?

Bimaxillary protrusion has proclined incisors in both arches with no anterior crossbite.

Why is "True skeletal Class III malocclusion" not the answer?

In a true skeletal Class III, the mandible cannot be retruded to an edge-to-edge bite.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: pseudo Class III in Dentistry. It is treated early, for example by tipping the maxillary incisors forward, to remove the functional shift. A true skeletal Class III has no such retrusion.

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: pseudo Class III?

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.