Tooth development and dental anatomy: systemic causes of delayed eruption: 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: systemic causes of delayed eruption

Sample item

A 2-year-old with a large protruding tongue, umbilical hernia, constipation and a history of prolonged neonatal jaundice has not erupted a single tooth. Which condition best explains the delayed eruption?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Congenital hypothyroidism

Congenital hypothyroidism delays eruption of both dentitions, and the child may show macroglossia and an umbilical hernia. Early thyroxine prevents most of the damage.

Option by option

  • A. Cleidocranial dysplasia

    Cleidocranial dysplasia causes delayed eruption with absent clavicles, not these systemic signs.

  • B. Hypophosphatasia

    Hypophosphatasia causes premature loss of primary teeth, not delayed eruption.

  • C. Ectodermal dysplasia

    Ectodermal dysplasia causes missing or conical teeth with sparse hair and dry skin.

  • D. Congenital hypothyroidism (correct)

    Correct. The systemic picture points to hypothyroidism, which delays eruption.

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 D, Congenital hypothyroidism. Congenital hypothyroidism delays eruption of both dentitions, and the child may show macroglossia and an umbilical hernia.

Why is "Cleidocranial dysplasia" not the answer?

Cleidocranial dysplasia causes delayed eruption with absent clavicles, not these systemic signs.

Why is "Hypophosphatasia" not the answer?

Hypophosphatasia causes premature loss of primary teeth, not delayed eruption.

Why is "Ectodermal dysplasia" not the answer?

Ectodermal dysplasia causes missing or conical teeth with sparse hair and dry skin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Tooth development and dental anatomy: systemic causes of delayed eruption in Dentistry. Early thyroxine prevents most of the damage.

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: systemic causes of delayed eruption?

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.