Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: oral habits: 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 · Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: oral habits

Sample item

A 9-year-old pushes the tongue forward between the teeth when swallowing. Which malocclusion is most likely to result?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Anterior open bite

A persistent tongue thrust applies forward force between the incisors, keeping them apart and causing an anterior open bite, often with a lisp. A deep overbite is the opposite of this.

Option by option

  • A. Class III with prognathic mandible

    Skeletal Class III is genetic and is not caused by a swallow pattern.

  • B. Posterior lingual crossbite from a short palate

    A tongue thrust does not narrow the palate; low tongue posture and mouth breathing do.

  • C. Anterior open bite (correct)

    Correct. Forward tongue pressure prevents incisor eruption into contact.

  • D. Deep overbite

    Deep overbite results from excessive incisor eruption, not from a tongue thrust.

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 C, Anterior open bite. A persistent tongue thrust applies forward force between the incisors, keeping them apart and causing an anterior open bite, often with a lisp.

Why is "Class III with prognathic mandible" not the answer?

Skeletal Class III is genetic and is not caused by a swallow pattern.

Why is "Posterior lingual crossbite from a short palate" not the answer?

A tongue thrust does not narrow the palate; low tongue posture and mouth breathing do.

Why is "Deep overbite" not the answer?

Deep overbite results from excessive incisor eruption, not from a tongue thrust.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: oral habits in Dentistry. A deep overbite is the opposite of this.

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 Orthodontics and paediatric dentistry: oral habits?

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.