Paediatric dentistry: natal teeth: 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: natal teeth

Sample item

A newborn has a very loose lower central incisor present since birth that interferes with feeding. What is the appropriate management?

AApply fluoride varnish and ignore mobilityBStart long-term antibioticsCExtract if highly mobile because of aspiration riskDAlways retain it because it is a permanent tooth

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Extract if highly mobile because of aspiration risk

Natal teeth are usually deciduous incisors with poor root formation. A very mobile tooth is removed to avoid aspiration and feeding trauma such as Riga-Fede ulcer, after confirming vitamin K status.

Option by option

A. Apply fluoride varnish and ignore mobility
Ignoring mobility risks aspiration.
B. Start long-term antibiotics
Antibiotics are not indicated.
C. Extract if highly mobile because of aspiration risk (correct)
Correct. Mobility with aspiration risk justifies extraction.
D. Always retain it because it is a permanent tooth
Natal teeth are usually deciduous and not permanent.

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 C, Extract if highly mobile because of aspiration risk. Natal teeth are usually deciduous incisors with poor root formation.

Why is "Apply fluoride varnish and ignore mobility" not the answer?

Ignoring mobility risks aspiration.

Why is "Start long-term antibiotics" not the answer?

Antibiotics are not indicated.

Why is "Always retain it because it is a permanent tooth" not the answer?

Natal teeth are usually deciduous and not permanent.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric dentistry: natal teeth in Dentistry. A very mobile tooth is removed to avoid aspiration and feeding trauma such as Riga-Fede ulcer, after confirming vitamin K status.

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: natal teeth?

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.