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SRTA Restorative Examination Practice
Exam 2026 | 100 Advanced Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
SRTA Dental Licensing Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. A posterior composite restoration is planned for a deep Class II lesion. The
cavity preparation has a very deep area approaching the pulp but no pulp
exposure. Which approach is most appropriate to minimize postoperative
pulpal complications?
A. Remove all dentin until only hard dentin remains throughout the preparation
B. Place a thick calcium hydroxide liner over the entire preparation
C. Use selective caries removal in the deepest area and seal the remaining
affected dentin with an appropriate restorative material
D. Perform a pulpotomy before placing the restoration
Answer: Use selective caries removal in the deepest area and seal the remaining
affected dentin with an appropriate restorative material.
,Rationale: Selective caries removal preserves sound tooth structure and reduces
the risk of pulp exposure in deep lesions. A liner is not routinely required over
the entire preparation.
2. During preparation of a Class II composite, which feature is most important
for achieving predictable proximal contact?
A. Excessive occlusal reduction
B. Proper matrix adaptation and separation
C. Beveling the entire proximal box
D. Eliminating the marginal ridge
Answer: Proper matrix adaptation and separation.
Rationale: A properly adapted matrix combined with adequate separation
allows the composite to form a firm, anatomically appropriate proximal contact
and minimizes overhangs.
3. A patient reports sharp pain when biting immediately after placement of a
Class II composite. The restoration appears clinically intact. What is the
most likely restorative cause?
A. Inadequate fluoride exposure
B. Occlusal interference
C. Recurrent caries
D. Pulpal necrosis
Answer: Occlusal interference.
Rationale: Pain on biting shortly after restoration placement commonly results
from a high occlusal contact. Careful occlusal evaluation and adjustment are
indicated.
4. Which factor most directly compromises bonding of a total-etch adhesive
to dentin?
A. Adequate isolation
B. Controlled dentin moisture
,C. Contamination with saliva after etching
D. Proper adhesive application
Answer: Contamination with saliva after etching.
Rationale: Salivary contamination can interfere with formation and integrity of
the hybrid layer and significantly reduce bond strength.
5. A Class II composite restoration repeatedly develops a marginal gap at the
gingival margin. Which factor is most likely contributing?
A. Excessive enamel beveling
B. Polymerization shrinkage combined with inadequate adaptation
C. Excessive occlusal anatomy
D. Excessive curing time
Answer: Polymerization shrinkage combined with inadequate adaptation.
Rationale: Shrinkage stress is particularly problematic at gingival margins
where enamel may be limited or absent and adaptation is more difficult.
Incremental placement and proper adaptation can reduce the problem.
6. Which matrix system is generally most useful when restoring a posterior
tooth with a broad proximal box and a missing adjacent contact?
A. Circumferential matrix without separation
B. Sectional matrix with separation ring
C. Mylar strip only
D. Tofflemire matrix placed loosely
Answer: Sectional matrix with separation ring.
Rationale: Sectional systems provide anatomical contour and, with separation
rings, help compensate for the thickness of the matrix and establish a tight
proximal contact.
7. When placing posterior composite, why is incremental placement
commonly preferred over placing a large bulk of conventional composite?
, A. It eliminates the need for curing
B. It improves adaptation and polymerization management
C. It prevents all polymerization shrinkage
D. It eliminates the need for adhesive
Answer: It improves adaptation and polymerization management.
Rationale: Incremental placement allows better adaptation to cavity walls and
permits adequate light penetration and curing of conventional composite
increments. It does not eliminate polymerization shrinkage.
8. A patient has a moderate Class I carious lesion in a permanent molar with
adequate remaining enamel and dentin. Which restorative material is
generally most appropriate when esthetics and adhesive conservation are
priorities?
A. Amalgam exclusively
B. Composite resin
C. Zinc phosphate cement
D. Temporary restorative material
Answer: Composite resin.
Rationale: Adhesive composite permits conservative preparation and provides
favorable esthetics when isolation and bonding conditions are adequate.
9. Which clinical condition is most critical before placing a direct adhesive
composite?
A. Maximum tooth dehydration
B. Effective moisture control
C. Complete removal of all enamel
D. Elimination of occlusal anatomy
Answer: Effective moisture control.
SRTA Restorative Examination Practice
Exam 2026 | 100 Advanced Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
SRTA Dental Licensing Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. A posterior composite restoration is planned for a deep Class II lesion. The
cavity preparation has a very deep area approaching the pulp but no pulp
exposure. Which approach is most appropriate to minimize postoperative
pulpal complications?
A. Remove all dentin until only hard dentin remains throughout the preparation
B. Place a thick calcium hydroxide liner over the entire preparation
C. Use selective caries removal in the deepest area and seal the remaining
affected dentin with an appropriate restorative material
D. Perform a pulpotomy before placing the restoration
Answer: Use selective caries removal in the deepest area and seal the remaining
affected dentin with an appropriate restorative material.
,Rationale: Selective caries removal preserves sound tooth structure and reduces
the risk of pulp exposure in deep lesions. A liner is not routinely required over
the entire preparation.
2. During preparation of a Class II composite, which feature is most important
for achieving predictable proximal contact?
A. Excessive occlusal reduction
B. Proper matrix adaptation and separation
C. Beveling the entire proximal box
D. Eliminating the marginal ridge
Answer: Proper matrix adaptation and separation.
Rationale: A properly adapted matrix combined with adequate separation
allows the composite to form a firm, anatomically appropriate proximal contact
and minimizes overhangs.
3. A patient reports sharp pain when biting immediately after placement of a
Class II composite. The restoration appears clinically intact. What is the
most likely restorative cause?
A. Inadequate fluoride exposure
B. Occlusal interference
C. Recurrent caries
D. Pulpal necrosis
Answer: Occlusal interference.
Rationale: Pain on biting shortly after restoration placement commonly results
from a high occlusal contact. Careful occlusal evaluation and adjustment are
indicated.
4. Which factor most directly compromises bonding of a total-etch adhesive
to dentin?
A. Adequate isolation
B. Controlled dentin moisture
,C. Contamination with saliva after etching
D. Proper adhesive application
Answer: Contamination with saliva after etching.
Rationale: Salivary contamination can interfere with formation and integrity of
the hybrid layer and significantly reduce bond strength.
5. A Class II composite restoration repeatedly develops a marginal gap at the
gingival margin. Which factor is most likely contributing?
A. Excessive enamel beveling
B. Polymerization shrinkage combined with inadequate adaptation
C. Excessive occlusal anatomy
D. Excessive curing time
Answer: Polymerization shrinkage combined with inadequate adaptation.
Rationale: Shrinkage stress is particularly problematic at gingival margins
where enamel may be limited or absent and adaptation is more difficult.
Incremental placement and proper adaptation can reduce the problem.
6. Which matrix system is generally most useful when restoring a posterior
tooth with a broad proximal box and a missing adjacent contact?
A. Circumferential matrix without separation
B. Sectional matrix with separation ring
C. Mylar strip only
D. Tofflemire matrix placed loosely
Answer: Sectional matrix with separation ring.
Rationale: Sectional systems provide anatomical contour and, with separation
rings, help compensate for the thickness of the matrix and establish a tight
proximal contact.
7. When placing posterior composite, why is incremental placement
commonly preferred over placing a large bulk of conventional composite?
, A. It eliminates the need for curing
B. It improves adaptation and polymerization management
C. It prevents all polymerization shrinkage
D. It eliminates the need for adhesive
Answer: It improves adaptation and polymerization management.
Rationale: Incremental placement allows better adaptation to cavity walls and
permits adequate light penetration and curing of conventional composite
increments. It does not eliminate polymerization shrinkage.
8. A patient has a moderate Class I carious lesion in a permanent molar with
adequate remaining enamel and dentin. Which restorative material is
generally most appropriate when esthetics and adhesive conservation are
priorities?
A. Amalgam exclusively
B. Composite resin
C. Zinc phosphate cement
D. Temporary restorative material
Answer: Composite resin.
Rationale: Adhesive composite permits conservative preparation and provides
favorable esthetics when isolation and bonding conditions are adequate.
9. Which clinical condition is most critical before placing a direct adhesive
composite?
A. Maximum tooth dehydration
B. Effective moisture control
C. Complete removal of all enamel
D. Elimination of occlusal anatomy
Answer: Effective moisture control.
