Paediatric dentistry: congenital syphilis 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: congenital syphilis teeth

Sample item

A child has deafness, interstitial keratitis and dental anomalies of congenital syphilis. Which dental findings are characteristic?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Notched peg-shaped upper incisors and mulberry molars

Hutchinson incisors are screwdriver-shaped with a central notch, and mulberry molars have a crown with multiple small globular cusps. Together with keratitis and eighth nerve deafness they form Hutchinson's triad.

Option by option

  • A. Complete absence of teeth

    Total anodontia is not a feature of syphilis.

  • B. Notched peg-shaped upper incisors and mulberry molars (correct)

    Correct. These are the dental signs of congenital syphilis.

  • C. Generalised enamel pitting with brown staining

    Enamel pitting with staining suggests fluorosis.

  • D. Natal teeth

    Natal teeth are unrelated.

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 B, Notched peg-shaped upper incisors and mulberry molars. Hutchinson incisors are screwdriver-shaped with a central notch, and mulberry molars have a crown with multiple small globular cusps.

Why is "Complete absence of teeth" not the answer?

Total anodontia is not a feature of syphilis.

Why is "Generalised enamel pitting with brown staining" not the answer?

Enamel pitting with staining suggests fluorosis.

Why is "Natal teeth" not the answer?

Natal teeth are unrelated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric dentistry: congenital syphilis teeth in Dentistry. Together with keratitis and eighth nerve deafness they form Hutchinson's triad.

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 Paediatric dentistry: congenital syphilis 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.