Dental materials and radiology basics: localisation: 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 · Dental materials and radiology basics: localisation

Sample item

On two periapical films taken with different tube angles, an impacted tooth appears to move in the same direction as the tube head relative to the roots of adjacent teeth. Where is it located?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Palatal side

By the SLOB rule (same lingual, opposite buccal), an object that moves in the same direction as the tube shift lies lingually or palatally. Buccal objects move opposite.

Option by option

  • A. Within the mandible

    The rule localises relative to the arch, and this movement does not indicate the mandible.

  • B. Palatal side (correct)

    Correct. Same direction means lingual or palatal.

  • C. Within the maxillary sinus

    Sinus position is judged by other views and not by this rule.

  • D. Buccal side

    Buccal objects move opposite to the tube shift.

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, Palatal side. By the SLOB rule (same lingual, opposite buccal), an object that moves in the same direction as the tube shift lies lingually or palatally.

Why is "Within the mandible" not the answer?

The rule localises relative to the arch, and this movement does not indicate the mandible.

Why is "Within the maxillary sinus" not the answer?

Sinus position is judged by other views and not by this rule.

Why is "Buccal side" not the answer?

Buccal objects move opposite to the tube shift.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Dental materials and radiology basics: localisation in Dentistry. Buccal objects move opposite.

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 Dental materials and radiology basics: localisation?

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.