Virginia Dentist Licensure Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A 35-year-old patient presents with spontaneous pain that lingers for
several minutes after exposure to cold stimuli. Which pulpal diagnosis
is most appropriate?
A. Normal pulp
B. Reversible pulpitis
C. Irreversible pulpitis
D. Pulp necrosis
Rationale: Lingering pain following thermal stimulation is a classic sign of
irreversible pulpitis. The pulp is inflamed beyond its capacity to heal and
usually requires endodontic treatment.
2. Which cranial nerve provides sensory innervation to the mandibular
teeth?
A. Facial nerve (CN VII)
B. Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
C. Vagus nerve (CN X)
D. Trigeminal nerve, mandibular division (CN V3)
,Rationale: The inferior alveolar nerve, a branch of the mandibular division
of the trigeminal nerve, supplies sensation to mandibular teeth.
3. The most common cause of dental caries is:
A. Viral infection
B. Traumatic injury
C. Acid production by bacterial biofilm
D. Genetic mutation alone
Rationale: Cariogenic bacteria metabolize dietary carbohydrates,
producing acids that demineralize enamel and dentin.
4. Which organism is most strongly associated with initiation of dental
caries?
A. Porphyromonas gingivalis
B. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
C. Candida albicans
D. Streptococcus mutans
Rationale: Streptococcus mutans is highly cariogenic because of its
acidogenic and aciduric properties.
5. The ideal bevel angle for a standard inferior alveolar nerve block
needle insertion is directed toward:
A. Maxillary central incisors
B. Opposite canine
C. Same-side molars
D. Contralateral premolars
Rationale: Positioning the syringe over the contralateral premolars aligns
the needle with the pterygomandibular space for effective anesthesia.
, 6. Which radiographic finding is most indicative of chronic apical
periodontitis?
A. Increased enamel opacity
B. Hypercementosis only
C. Periapical radiolucency at the root apex
D. Widened pulp chamber
Rationale: Chronic apical inflammation often results in bone resorption
visible as a periapical radiolucency.
7. A patient taking warfarin requires extraction of a tooth. Which
laboratory value is most important to review?
A. Hemoglobin A1c
B. Serum calcium
C. Creatinine clearance
D. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Rationale: INR evaluates anticoagulation status and helps determine
bleeding risk before surgery.
8. Which local anesthetic has the longest duration of pulpal anesthesia?
A. Lidocaine 2%
B. Mepivacaine 3%
C. Prilocaine 4%
D. Bupivacaine 0.5%
Rationale: Bupivacaine provides prolonged anesthesia and postoperative
pain control.
9. The primary etiologic factor in chronic periodontitis is:
A. Occlusal trauma alone
B. Vitamin deficiency
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A 35-year-old patient presents with spontaneous pain that lingers for
several minutes after exposure to cold stimuli. Which pulpal diagnosis
is most appropriate?
A. Normal pulp
B. Reversible pulpitis
C. Irreversible pulpitis
D. Pulp necrosis
Rationale: Lingering pain following thermal stimulation is a classic sign of
irreversible pulpitis. The pulp is inflamed beyond its capacity to heal and
usually requires endodontic treatment.
2. Which cranial nerve provides sensory innervation to the mandibular
teeth?
A. Facial nerve (CN VII)
B. Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
C. Vagus nerve (CN X)
D. Trigeminal nerve, mandibular division (CN V3)
,Rationale: The inferior alveolar nerve, a branch of the mandibular division
of the trigeminal nerve, supplies sensation to mandibular teeth.
3. The most common cause of dental caries is:
A. Viral infection
B. Traumatic injury
C. Acid production by bacterial biofilm
D. Genetic mutation alone
Rationale: Cariogenic bacteria metabolize dietary carbohydrates,
producing acids that demineralize enamel and dentin.
4. Which organism is most strongly associated with initiation of dental
caries?
A. Porphyromonas gingivalis
B. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
C. Candida albicans
D. Streptococcus mutans
Rationale: Streptococcus mutans is highly cariogenic because of its
acidogenic and aciduric properties.
5. The ideal bevel angle for a standard inferior alveolar nerve block
needle insertion is directed toward:
A. Maxillary central incisors
B. Opposite canine
C. Same-side molars
D. Contralateral premolars
Rationale: Positioning the syringe over the contralateral premolars aligns
the needle with the pterygomandibular space for effective anesthesia.
, 6. Which radiographic finding is most indicative of chronic apical
periodontitis?
A. Increased enamel opacity
B. Hypercementosis only
C. Periapical radiolucency at the root apex
D. Widened pulp chamber
Rationale: Chronic apical inflammation often results in bone resorption
visible as a periapical radiolucency.
7. A patient taking warfarin requires extraction of a tooth. Which
laboratory value is most important to review?
A. Hemoglobin A1c
B. Serum calcium
C. Creatinine clearance
D. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Rationale: INR evaluates anticoagulation status and helps determine
bleeding risk before surgery.
8. Which local anesthetic has the longest duration of pulpal anesthesia?
A. Lidocaine 2%
B. Mepivacaine 3%
C. Prilocaine 4%
D. Bupivacaine 0.5%
Rationale: Bupivacaine provides prolonged anesthesia and postoperative
pain control.
9. The primary etiologic factor in chronic periodontitis is:
A. Occlusal trauma alone
B. Vitamin deficiency
