Paediatric dentistry: pulpotomy: 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 · Paediatric dentistry: pulpotomy

Sample item

A child's primary molar has deep caries with inflamed coronal pulp but a vital radicular pulp. Which treatment is appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pulpotomy with MTA, ferric sulphate or formocresol

Pulpotomy removes the inflamed coronal pulp and treats the radicular stumps to keep the tooth functional until natural exfoliation. MTA is a favoured modern medicament.

Option by option

  • A. Pulpotomy with MTA, ferric sulphate or formocresol (correct)

    Correct. This preserves the vital radicular pulp.

  • B. Pulpectomy of every primary tooth

    Pulpectomy is for non-vital pulps.

  • C. Immediate extraction of all molars

    Extraction is not required while the tooth can be preserved.

  • D. Observation only

    Untreated deep caries will progress.

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, Pulpotomy with MTA, ferric sulphate or formocresol. Pulpotomy removes the inflamed coronal pulp and treats the radicular stumps to keep the tooth functional until natural exfoliation.

Why is "Pulpectomy of every primary tooth" not the answer?

Pulpectomy is for non-vital pulps.

Why is "Immediate extraction of all molars" not the answer?

Extraction is not required while the tooth can be preserved.

Why is "Observation only" not the answer?

Untreated deep caries will progress.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric dentistry: pulpotomy in Dentistry. MTA is a favoured modern medicament.

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 Paediatric dentistry: pulpotomy?

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.