1|Page
AAPD QE Board Exam Questions with 100% Correct Answers
2025 | 2026
What layer do neural crest cells develop from? - ANSWER
Ectoderm
At what embryonic age does the dental lamina begin to
develop? - ANSWER 6 weeks
What are the three components of the tooth bud? - ANSWER
Enamel Organ
Dental papilla
Dental sac
What are the three morphologic stages of a developing tooth
bud? - ANSWER Bud stage
Cap stage
Bell stage
,2|Page
During the bell stage invagination of the epithelium occurs,
which layer is essential for enamel production? - ANSWER
Stratum intermedium
Which cells does the stellate reticulum support and protect? -
ANSWER Ameloblasts
What do remnants of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath persist
as? - ANSWER Rests of Malassez
What is the origin of the dental papilla? - ANSWER Neural crest
cells
What does the dental papilla differentiate in to? - ANSWER
Dentin and primordium of pulp
What are enamel pearls? - ANSWER Cells of epithelial root
sheath that remain attached to dentin. Differentiate into
ameloblasts and produce enamel
What are the 7 steps (in order) of histophyisological
differentiation of a tooth bud? - ANSWER Initiation
Proliferation
,3|Page
Histodifferentiation
Morphodifferentiation
Apposition
Mineralization
Maturation
During which stage of tooth development may problems that
lead to anomalies of tooth number occur? - ANSWER Initiation
Which three stages of tooth development encompasses the
bud, cap, early bell and late bell? - ANSWER Proliferation
Histodifferentiation
Morphodifferentiation
Disruptions of proliferation may result in what type of tooth
anomalies? (4) - ANSWER Size
Proportion
Numbers
Twinning
, 4|Page
Which stage of tooth development may lead to anomalies of
the enamel, dentin, and cementum? - ANSWER
Morphodifferentiation
What is the incidence of hyperdontia? Males vs females? -
ANSWER 0.3 - 3%
Males 2:1 females
Is hyperdontia more common in maxilla or mandible? More
common in primary teeth or permanent teeth? - ANSWER
Maxilla 90%
Permanent dentition 5x more common that primary
Which permanent teeth are most frequently missing? List in
order from most to least common - ANSWER Third molars
Mandibular second pre molars
Maxillary lateral incisors
Maxillary second pre molars
Name 9 syndromes that may be associated with supernumerary
teeth - ANSWER Apert
Cleidocranial dysplasia
AAPD QE Board Exam Questions with 100% Correct Answers
2025 | 2026
What layer do neural crest cells develop from? - ANSWER
Ectoderm
At what embryonic age does the dental lamina begin to
develop? - ANSWER 6 weeks
What are the three components of the tooth bud? - ANSWER
Enamel Organ
Dental papilla
Dental sac
What are the three morphologic stages of a developing tooth
bud? - ANSWER Bud stage
Cap stage
Bell stage
,2|Page
During the bell stage invagination of the epithelium occurs,
which layer is essential for enamel production? - ANSWER
Stratum intermedium
Which cells does the stellate reticulum support and protect? -
ANSWER Ameloblasts
What do remnants of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath persist
as? - ANSWER Rests of Malassez
What is the origin of the dental papilla? - ANSWER Neural crest
cells
What does the dental papilla differentiate in to? - ANSWER
Dentin and primordium of pulp
What are enamel pearls? - ANSWER Cells of epithelial root
sheath that remain attached to dentin. Differentiate into
ameloblasts and produce enamel
What are the 7 steps (in order) of histophyisological
differentiation of a tooth bud? - ANSWER Initiation
Proliferation
,3|Page
Histodifferentiation
Morphodifferentiation
Apposition
Mineralization
Maturation
During which stage of tooth development may problems that
lead to anomalies of tooth number occur? - ANSWER Initiation
Which three stages of tooth development encompasses the
bud, cap, early bell and late bell? - ANSWER Proliferation
Histodifferentiation
Morphodifferentiation
Disruptions of proliferation may result in what type of tooth
anomalies? (4) - ANSWER Size
Proportion
Numbers
Twinning
, 4|Page
Which stage of tooth development may lead to anomalies of
the enamel, dentin, and cementum? - ANSWER
Morphodifferentiation
What is the incidence of hyperdontia? Males vs females? -
ANSWER 0.3 - 3%
Males 2:1 females
Is hyperdontia more common in maxilla or mandible? More
common in primary teeth or permanent teeth? - ANSWER
Maxilla 90%
Permanent dentition 5x more common that primary
Which permanent teeth are most frequently missing? List in
order from most to least common - ANSWER Third molars
Mandibular second pre molars
Maxillary lateral incisors
Maxillary second pre molars
Name 9 syndromes that may be associated with supernumerary
teeth - ANSWER Apert
Cleidocranial dysplasia
