Tooth development and dental anatomy: eruption disorders: 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 · Tooth development and dental anatomy: eruption disorders

Sample item

A 14-month-old has a bluish, soft, dome-shaped swelling over the gum where a lower primary molar is about to erupt. The child feeds well and is afebrile. What is the best management?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Observe, as the tooth usually erupts through it

An eruption cyst forms from fluid or blood in the follicular space over an erupting tooth. It almost always ruptures as the tooth breaks through, so observation is enough.

Option by option

  • A. Biopsy to exclude a vascular tumour

    The typical appearance and site make a biopsy unnecessary.

  • B. Observe, as the tooth usually erupts through it (correct)

    Correct. An eruption cyst resolves with eruption of the tooth beneath it.

  • C. Marsupialise under general anaesthesia

    Surgery is rarely needed and is reserved for persistent or infected lesions.

  • D. Start oral antibiotics

    There is no infection, so antibiotics have no role.

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 B, Observe, as the tooth usually erupts through it. An eruption cyst forms from fluid or blood in the follicular space over an erupting tooth.

Why is "Biopsy to exclude a vascular tumour" not the answer?

The typical appearance and site make a biopsy unnecessary.

Why is "Marsupialise under general anaesthesia" not the answer?

Surgery is rarely needed and is reserved for persistent or infected lesions.

Why is "Start oral antibiotics" not the answer?

There is no infection, so antibiotics have no role.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Tooth development and dental anatomy: eruption disorders in Dentistry. It almost always ruptures as the tooth breaks through, so observation is enough.

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 Tooth development and dental anatomy: eruption disorders?

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.