Caries and periodontal disease: gingivitis versus periodontitis: 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 and periodontal disease: gingivitis versus periodontitis

Sample item

A dentist explains that periodontitis differs from gingivitis in one key respect. Which is it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Irreversible loss of connective tissue attachment and alveolar bone

Gingivitis is inflammation confined to the gingiva and is reversible with plaque removal. In periodontitis the inflammation extends to periodontal ligament and bone, causing attachment loss and pocket formation that cannot be fully reversed.

Option by option

  • A. Irreversible loss of connective tissue attachment and alveolar bone (correct)

    Correct. Attachment and bone loss define periodontitis.

  • B. Gingival redness

    Redness occurs in both.

  • C. Bleeding on probing

    Bleeding on probing occurs in both.

  • D. Presence of plaque

    Plaque is present in both conditions.

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, Irreversible loss of connective tissue attachment and alveolar bone. Gingivitis is inflammation confined to the gingiva and is reversible with plaque removal.

Why is "Gingival redness" not the answer?

Redness occurs in both.

Why is "Bleeding on probing" not the answer?

Bleeding on probing occurs in both.

Why is "Presence of plaque" not the answer?

Plaque is present in both conditions.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries and periodontal disease: gingivitis versus periodontitis in Dentistry. In periodontitis the inflammation extends to periodontal ligament and bone, causing attachment loss and pocket formation that cannot be fully reversed.

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 and periodontal disease: gingivitis versus periodontitis?

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.