NDEE 2026 Exam 4
Questions and Correct
Answers with
Rationale
� Question 1
A 46-year-old patient reports sensitivity to sweet foods that
resolves immediately after the stimulus is removed. Clinical
examination reveals a carious lesion approximating the pulp but
no spontaneous pain. What is the most likely pulpal diagnosis?
A. Normal pulp
B. Reversible pulpitis
C. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis
D. Pulp necrosis
� Correct Answer: B. Reversible pulpitis
� Rationale:
Reversible pulpitis is characterized by brief, provoked pain that
,resolves once the stimulus is removed. Eliminating the irritant
and restoring the tooth can allow the pulp to recover.
� Question 2
Which muscle is primarily responsible for elevating the
mandible during mastication?
A. Lateral pterygoid
B. Digastric
C. Masseter
D. Mylohyoid
� Correct Answer: C. Masseter
� Rationale:
The masseter is one of the primary muscles of mastication
responsible for elevating the mandible and generating strong bite
force.
� Question 3
A panoramic radiograph reveals bilateral, symmetrical
radiopaque masses near the angles of the mandible in an
asymptomatic patient. What is the most likely diagnosis?
,A. Osteomyelitis
B. Idiopathic osteosclerosis
C. Torus mandibularis
D. Sialolithiasis
� Correct Answer: C. Torus mandibularis
� Rationale:
Torus mandibularis is a benign bony exostosis typically located
on the lingual aspect of the mandible near the premolars, though
similar benign exostoses may be noted incidentally. Patients are
usually asymptomatic unless the tori interfere with function or
prosthesis placement.
� Question 4
Which oral manifestation is commonly associated with Addison
disease?
A. Generalized oral mucosal pigmentation
B. White pseudomembranous plaques
C. Gingival enlargement
D. Multiple mucoceles
, � Correct Answer: A. Generalized oral mucosal
pigmentation
� Rationale:
Addison disease can cause diffuse brown pigmentation of the
oral mucosa due to increased production of adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH) and melanocyte-stimulating activity.
� Question 5
Which bacterium is considered the primary initiator of dental
caries?
A. Porphyromonas gingivalis
B. Streptococcus mutans
C. Prevotella intermedia
D. Fusobacterium nucleatum
� Correct Answer: B. Streptococcus mutans
� Rationale:
Streptococcus mutans initiates enamel demineralization through
acid production from fermentable carbohydrates, making it a
key organism in dental caries.
Questions and Correct
Answers with
Rationale
� Question 1
A 46-year-old patient reports sensitivity to sweet foods that
resolves immediately after the stimulus is removed. Clinical
examination reveals a carious lesion approximating the pulp but
no spontaneous pain. What is the most likely pulpal diagnosis?
A. Normal pulp
B. Reversible pulpitis
C. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis
D. Pulp necrosis
� Correct Answer: B. Reversible pulpitis
� Rationale:
Reversible pulpitis is characterized by brief, provoked pain that
,resolves once the stimulus is removed. Eliminating the irritant
and restoring the tooth can allow the pulp to recover.
� Question 2
Which muscle is primarily responsible for elevating the
mandible during mastication?
A. Lateral pterygoid
B. Digastric
C. Masseter
D. Mylohyoid
� Correct Answer: C. Masseter
� Rationale:
The masseter is one of the primary muscles of mastication
responsible for elevating the mandible and generating strong bite
force.
� Question 3
A panoramic radiograph reveals bilateral, symmetrical
radiopaque masses near the angles of the mandible in an
asymptomatic patient. What is the most likely diagnosis?
,A. Osteomyelitis
B. Idiopathic osteosclerosis
C. Torus mandibularis
D. Sialolithiasis
� Correct Answer: C. Torus mandibularis
� Rationale:
Torus mandibularis is a benign bony exostosis typically located
on the lingual aspect of the mandible near the premolars, though
similar benign exostoses may be noted incidentally. Patients are
usually asymptomatic unless the tori interfere with function or
prosthesis placement.
� Question 4
Which oral manifestation is commonly associated with Addison
disease?
A. Generalized oral mucosal pigmentation
B. White pseudomembranous plaques
C. Gingival enlargement
D. Multiple mucoceles
, � Correct Answer: A. Generalized oral mucosal
pigmentation
� Rationale:
Addison disease can cause diffuse brown pigmentation of the
oral mucosa due to increased production of adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH) and melanocyte-stimulating activity.
� Question 5
Which bacterium is considered the primary initiator of dental
caries?
A. Porphyromonas gingivalis
B. Streptococcus mutans
C. Prevotella intermedia
D. Fusobacterium nucleatum
� Correct Answer: B. Streptococcus mutans
� Rationale:
Streptococcus mutans initiates enamel demineralization through
acid production from fermentable carbohydrates, making it a
key organism in dental caries.
