Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: regenerative endodontics: 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 · Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: regenerative endodontics

Sample item

A 9-year-old fell 2 months ago. The maxillary central incisor is now non-vital, with a wide open apex, thin walls and a periapical radiolucency. Which treatment allows continued root wall thickening and apical closure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Revascularisation (regenerative endodontic procedure)

Regenerative endodontics disinfects the canal and induces bleeding to bring in stem cells, allowing continued root development. Apexification only makes an apical barrier and leaves thin, fragile walls.

Option by option

  • A. Apexification with an apical MTA plug

    An MTA plug closes the apex but does not thicken the weak dentinal walls.

  • B. Conventional gutta-percha root canal obturation

    Gutta-percha obturation of a blunderbuss canal cannot seal it and leaves the thin walls.

  • C. Extraction with a space maintainer

    Extraction is not needed when the tooth can be saved.

  • D. Revascularisation (regenerative endodontic procedure) (correct)

    Correct. Only revascularisation can allow further root development.

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, Revascularisation (regenerative endodontic procedure). Regenerative endodontics disinfects the canal and induces bleeding to bring in stem cells, allowing continued root development.

Why is "Apexification with an apical MTA plug" not the answer?

An MTA plug closes the apex but does not thicken the weak dentinal walls.

Why is "Conventional gutta-percha root canal obturation" not the answer?

Gutta-percha obturation of a blunderbuss canal cannot seal it and leaves the thin walls.

Why is "Extraction with a space maintainer" not the answer?

Extraction is not needed when the tooth can be saved.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: regenerative endodontics in Dentistry. Apexification only makes an apical barrier and leaves thin, fragile walls.

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 Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: regenerative endodontics?

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.