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FOUNDATIONS OF PERIODONTICS FOR THE DENTAL HYGIENST
, 6th EDITION – TEST BANK
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PART 1: THE PERIODONTIUM IN HEALTH (Chapters 1-2)
Question 1
Which of the following tissues is NOT part of the periodontium?
A) Gingiva
B) Periodontal ligament
C) Cementum
D) Alveolar mucosa
Answer: D) Alveolar mucosa
Rationale: The periodontium consists of the gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, and
alveolar bone. Alveolar mucosa is the movable tissue apical to the attached gingiva and is not
part of the periodontium.
Question 2
The junctional epithelium attaches to the tooth surface via:
A) Desmosomes
B) Hemidesmosomes
C) Tight junctions
D) Gap junctions
Answer: B) Hemidesmosomes
Rationale: The junctional epithelium attaches to the tooth surface through hemidesmosomes and
an internal basal lamina, forming the epithelial attachment.
Question 3
The principal fibers of the periodontal ligament are embedded in:
A) Enamel and cementum
B) Cementum and alveolar bone
C) Alveolar bone and enamel
D) Gingiva and cementum
Answer: B) Cementum and alveolar bone
Rationale: The principal fibers (Sharpey's fibers) insert into cementum on the tooth side and into
alveolar bone on the socket side.
Question 4
All of the following are functions of the periodontal ligament EXCEPT:
A) Attaches tooth to bony socket
B) Provides sensory and nutritive function
C) Unites free gingiva with cementum
D) Produces osteoclasts to resorb bone
Answer: C) Unites free gingiva with cementum
Rationale: Uniting free gingiva with cementum is a function of the gingival fibers, not the PDL.
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Question 5
In clinically healthy tissue, the gingival sulcus probing depth is approximately:
A) 0–1 mm
B) 1–3 mm
C) 3–5 mm
D) 5–7 mm
Answer: B) 1–3 mm
Rationale: In clinically healthy gingiva, the normal sulcus depth ranges from 1–3 mm.
Question 6
Which cells are responsible for bone resorption?
A) Osteoblasts
B) Osteoclasts
C) Osteocytes
D) Cementoblasts
Answer: B) Osteoclasts
Rationale: Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells responsible for bone resorption. Osteoblasts
form bone.
Question 7
The ends of PDL fibers that embed in bone and cementum are called:
A) Interradicular fibers
B) Sharpey's fibers
C) Rete pegs
D) Endpoint fibers
Answer: B) Sharpey's fibers
Rationale: Sharpey's fibers are the terminal portions of principal fibers that embed into
cementum and alveolar bone.
Question 8
The junctional epithelium is best described as:
A) Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
B) Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium that attaches to the tooth
C) Simple columnar epithelium
D) Pseudostratified ciliated epithelium
Answer: B) Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium that attaches to the tooth
Rationale: The junctional epithelium is non-keratinized and forms a biological seal by attaching
to the tooth surface.
Question 9
In health, the alveolar crest is located approximately how far from the CEJ?
A) 0.5 mm
B) 1–2 mm
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C) 2–3 mm
D) 3–4 mm
Answer: B) 1–2 mm
Rationale: In periodontal health, the alveolar crest is normally located approximately 1–2 mm
apical to the CEJ.
Question 10
Which type of cementum is acellular and covers the cervical third of the root?
A) Acellular extrinsic fiber cementum
B) Cellular intrinsic fiber cementum
C) Acellular afibrillar cementum
D) Cellular mixed stratified cementum
Answer: A) Acellular extrinsic fiber cementum
Rationale: Acellular extrinsic fiber cementum (AEFC) contains Sharpey's fibers and is found
primarily in the coronal third of the root.
Question 11
The gingival epithelium that faces the tooth surface and lines the sulcus is the:
A) Oral epithelium
B) Sulcular epithelium
C) Junctional epithelium
D) Crevicular epithelium
Answer: B) Sulcular epithelium
Rationale: The sulcular epithelium lines the gingival sulcus and faces the tooth surface but does
not attach to it.
Question 12
Which of the following is a function of the gingival connective tissue?
A) Provides blood supply to the gingiva
B) Anchors the gingiva to the tooth and bone
C) Contains collagen fibers that provide support
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: The gingival connective tissue provides vascular supply, anchors the gingiva via
collagen fibers, and contains fibroblasts, blood vessels, and nerves.
Question 13
The dentogingival junction is formed by:
A) The free gingival groove
B) The junctional epithelium and connective tissue attachment
C) The mucogingival junction
D) The interproximal papilla
FOUNDATIONS OF PERIODONTICS FOR THE DENTAL HYGIENST
, 6th EDITION – TEST BANK
, 2
PART 1: THE PERIODONTIUM IN HEALTH (Chapters 1-2)
Question 1
Which of the following tissues is NOT part of the periodontium?
A) Gingiva
B) Periodontal ligament
C) Cementum
D) Alveolar mucosa
Answer: D) Alveolar mucosa
Rationale: The periodontium consists of the gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, and
alveolar bone. Alveolar mucosa is the movable tissue apical to the attached gingiva and is not
part of the periodontium.
Question 2
The junctional epithelium attaches to the tooth surface via:
A) Desmosomes
B) Hemidesmosomes
C) Tight junctions
D) Gap junctions
Answer: B) Hemidesmosomes
Rationale: The junctional epithelium attaches to the tooth surface through hemidesmosomes and
an internal basal lamina, forming the epithelial attachment.
Question 3
The principal fibers of the periodontal ligament are embedded in:
A) Enamel and cementum
B) Cementum and alveolar bone
C) Alveolar bone and enamel
D) Gingiva and cementum
Answer: B) Cementum and alveolar bone
Rationale: The principal fibers (Sharpey's fibers) insert into cementum on the tooth side and into
alveolar bone on the socket side.
Question 4
All of the following are functions of the periodontal ligament EXCEPT:
A) Attaches tooth to bony socket
B) Provides sensory and nutritive function
C) Unites free gingiva with cementum
D) Produces osteoclasts to resorb bone
Answer: C) Unites free gingiva with cementum
Rationale: Uniting free gingiva with cementum is a function of the gingival fibers, not the PDL.
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Question 5
In clinically healthy tissue, the gingival sulcus probing depth is approximately:
A) 0–1 mm
B) 1–3 mm
C) 3–5 mm
D) 5–7 mm
Answer: B) 1–3 mm
Rationale: In clinically healthy gingiva, the normal sulcus depth ranges from 1–3 mm.
Question 6
Which cells are responsible for bone resorption?
A) Osteoblasts
B) Osteoclasts
C) Osteocytes
D) Cementoblasts
Answer: B) Osteoclasts
Rationale: Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells responsible for bone resorption. Osteoblasts
form bone.
Question 7
The ends of PDL fibers that embed in bone and cementum are called:
A) Interradicular fibers
B) Sharpey's fibers
C) Rete pegs
D) Endpoint fibers
Answer: B) Sharpey's fibers
Rationale: Sharpey's fibers are the terminal portions of principal fibers that embed into
cementum and alveolar bone.
Question 8
The junctional epithelium is best described as:
A) Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
B) Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium that attaches to the tooth
C) Simple columnar epithelium
D) Pseudostratified ciliated epithelium
Answer: B) Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium that attaches to the tooth
Rationale: The junctional epithelium is non-keratinized and forms a biological seal by attaching
to the tooth surface.
Question 9
In health, the alveolar crest is located approximately how far from the CEJ?
A) 0.5 mm
B) 1–2 mm
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C) 2–3 mm
D) 3–4 mm
Answer: B) 1–2 mm
Rationale: In periodontal health, the alveolar crest is normally located approximately 1–2 mm
apical to the CEJ.
Question 10
Which type of cementum is acellular and covers the cervical third of the root?
A) Acellular extrinsic fiber cementum
B) Cellular intrinsic fiber cementum
C) Acellular afibrillar cementum
D) Cellular mixed stratified cementum
Answer: A) Acellular extrinsic fiber cementum
Rationale: Acellular extrinsic fiber cementum (AEFC) contains Sharpey's fibers and is found
primarily in the coronal third of the root.
Question 11
The gingival epithelium that faces the tooth surface and lines the sulcus is the:
A) Oral epithelium
B) Sulcular epithelium
C) Junctional epithelium
D) Crevicular epithelium
Answer: B) Sulcular epithelium
Rationale: The sulcular epithelium lines the gingival sulcus and faces the tooth surface but does
not attach to it.
Question 12
Which of the following is a function of the gingival connective tissue?
A) Provides blood supply to the gingiva
B) Anchors the gingiva to the tooth and bone
C) Contains collagen fibers that provide support
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: The gingival connective tissue provides vascular supply, anchors the gingiva via
collagen fibers, and contains fibroblasts, blood vessels, and nerves.
Question 13
The dentogingival junction is formed by:
A) The free gingival groove
B) The junctional epithelium and connective tissue attachment
C) The mucogingival junction
D) The interproximal papilla
