Oral medicine and oral cancer: acromegaly: 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 · Oral medicine and oral cancer: acromegaly

Sample item

A 38-year-old has enlarging hands, coarse features and a prominent jaw so that the lower teeth bite in front of the upper. New gaps have appeared between his teeth. What explains the gaps?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Overgrowth of the jaws and tongue from excess growth hormone

Excess growth hormone enlarges the mandible, alveolar arches and tongue, so teeth spread apart and an underbite develops. Dentists often notice these changes first.

Option by option

  • A. Periodontal bone loss from collagen breakdown

    Periodontal loss would cause mobility and recession, not this global overgrowth.

  • B. Overgrowth of the jaws and tongue from excess growth hormone (correct)

    Correct. Enlargement of the jaws and tongue opens interdental spaces.

  • C. Gingival fibromatosis displacing the teeth

    Gingival fibromatosis is a hereditary overgrowth and does not fit the endocrine picture.

  • D. Hypercementosis pushing teeth apart

    Hypercementosis thickens roots and is not the cause of spacing.

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 B, Overgrowth of the jaws and tongue from excess growth hormone. Excess growth hormone enlarges the mandible, alveolar arches and tongue, so teeth spread apart and an underbite develops.

Why is "Periodontal bone loss from collagen breakdown" not the answer?

Periodontal loss would cause mobility and recession, not this global overgrowth.

Why is "Gingival fibromatosis displacing the teeth" not the answer?

Gingival fibromatosis is a hereditary overgrowth and does not fit the endocrine picture.

Why is "Hypercementosis pushing teeth apart" not the answer?

Hypercementosis thickens roots and is not the cause of spacing.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral medicine and oral cancer: acromegaly in Dentistry. Dentists often notice these changes first.

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 Oral medicine and oral cancer: acromegaly?

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.