NDEE 2026 Exam 5
Questions and Correct
Answers with
Rationale
� Question 1
A 42-year-old patient presents with lingering pain to cold lasting
over 60 seconds in the maxillary first premolar. Percussion is
negative, and no periapical radiolucency is present. What is the
most likely pulpal diagnosis?
A. Normal pulp
B. Reversible pulpitis
C. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis
D. Pulp necrosis
� Correct Answer: C. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis
,� Rationale:
Prolonged lingering pain after cold stimulation indicates
irreversible pulpal inflammation. Percussion sensitivity and
radiographic changes may not yet be present in the early stages.
� Question 2
Which cranial nerve provides motor innervation to the muscles
of mastication?
A. Facial nerve (CN VII)
B. Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
C. Trigeminal nerve – Mandibular division (CN V3)
D. Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
� Correct Answer: C. Trigeminal nerve – Mandibular
division (CN V3)
� Rationale:
The mandibular division (V3) of the trigeminal nerve supplies
the muscles of mastication, including the masseter, temporalis,
and medial and lateral pterygoids.
� Question 3
,A radiograph reveals a well-defined radiopaque lesion fused to
the root of a mandibular molar with a surrounding radiolucent
halo. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A. Cementoblastoma
B. Condensing osteitis
C. Hypercementosis
D. Periapical cemento-osseous dysplasia
� Correct Answer: A. Cementoblastoma
� Rationale:
A cementoblastoma is a benign odontogenic tumor attached to
the tooth root, typically surrounded by a thin radiolucent rim and
often associated with pain or swelling.
� Question 4
A patient complains of burning mouth symptoms despite a
normal clinical examination and laboratory findings. Which
diagnosis is most likely?
A. Geographic tongue
B. Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
C. Oral candidiasis
, D. Oral lichen planus
� Correct Answer: B. Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
� Rationale:
Burning Mouth Syndrome is characterized by chronic oral
burning pain in the absence of identifiable clinical or laboratory
abnormalities after appropriate evaluation.
� Question 5
Which microorganism is considered the primary etiologic
agent in aggressive forms of periodontitis?
A. Actinobacillus (Aggregatibacter) actinomycetemcomitans
B. Streptococcus mutans
C. Candida albicans
D. Lactobacillus acidophilus
� Correct Answer: A. Aggregatibacter
actinomycetemcomitans
� Rationale:
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans has been strongly
associated with localized aggressive periodontitis, particularly in
younger patients.
Questions and Correct
Answers with
Rationale
� Question 1
A 42-year-old patient presents with lingering pain to cold lasting
over 60 seconds in the maxillary first premolar. Percussion is
negative, and no periapical radiolucency is present. What is the
most likely pulpal diagnosis?
A. Normal pulp
B. Reversible pulpitis
C. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis
D. Pulp necrosis
� Correct Answer: C. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis
,� Rationale:
Prolonged lingering pain after cold stimulation indicates
irreversible pulpal inflammation. Percussion sensitivity and
radiographic changes may not yet be present in the early stages.
� Question 2
Which cranial nerve provides motor innervation to the muscles
of mastication?
A. Facial nerve (CN VII)
B. Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
C. Trigeminal nerve – Mandibular division (CN V3)
D. Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
� Correct Answer: C. Trigeminal nerve – Mandibular
division (CN V3)
� Rationale:
The mandibular division (V3) of the trigeminal nerve supplies
the muscles of mastication, including the masseter, temporalis,
and medial and lateral pterygoids.
� Question 3
,A radiograph reveals a well-defined radiopaque lesion fused to
the root of a mandibular molar with a surrounding radiolucent
halo. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A. Cementoblastoma
B. Condensing osteitis
C. Hypercementosis
D. Periapical cemento-osseous dysplasia
� Correct Answer: A. Cementoblastoma
� Rationale:
A cementoblastoma is a benign odontogenic tumor attached to
the tooth root, typically surrounded by a thin radiolucent rim and
often associated with pain or swelling.
� Question 4
A patient complains of burning mouth symptoms despite a
normal clinical examination and laboratory findings. Which
diagnosis is most likely?
A. Geographic tongue
B. Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
C. Oral candidiasis
, D. Oral lichen planus
� Correct Answer: B. Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
� Rationale:
Burning Mouth Syndrome is characterized by chronic oral
burning pain in the absence of identifiable clinical or laboratory
abnormalities after appropriate evaluation.
� Question 5
Which microorganism is considered the primary etiologic
agent in aggressive forms of periodontitis?
A. Actinobacillus (Aggregatibacter) actinomycetemcomitans
B. Streptococcus mutans
C. Candida albicans
D. Lactobacillus acidophilus
� Correct Answer: A. Aggregatibacter
actinomycetemcomitans
� Rationale:
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans has been strongly
associated with localized aggressive periodontitis, particularly in
younger patients.
