NDEE 2026 Exam 3
Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationale
Guaranteed Pass
� Question 1
A 36-year-old patient reports pain when chewing on the right
mandibular first molar. Clinical examination reveals a deep
occlusal restoration, and the tooth is tender to percussion but
does not respond to cold or electric pulp testing. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Reversible pulpitis
B. Symptomatic apical periodontitis secondary to pulpal
necrosis
C. Dentin hypersensitivity
D. Chronic gingivitis
� Correct Answer: B. Symptomatic apical periodontitis
secondary to pulpal necrosis
,� Rationale:
A non-vital tooth with tenderness to percussion indicates pulpal
necrosis with inflammation of the periodontal ligament. Root
canal treatment or extraction is generally indicated.
� Question 2
Which anatomical landmark is most important when
administering an inferior alveolar nerve block?
A. Incisive papilla
B. Greater palatine foramen
C. Pterygomandibular raphe
D. Nasopalatine canal
� Correct Answer: C. Pterygomandibular raphe
� Rationale:
The pterygomandibular raphe is a key landmark used in locating
the injection site for an inferior alveolar nerve block.
� Question 3
Which radiographic examination is most appropriate for
evaluating generalized periodontal bone loss?
,A. Bitewing radiographs
B. Periapical radiographs
C. Panoramic radiograph
D. Full-mouth intraoral radiographic series
� Correct Answer: D. Full-mouth intraoral radiographic
series
� Rationale:
A full-mouth series provides detailed visualization of the
alveolar bone, root morphology, and periapical regions, making
it the preferred radiographic examination for comprehensive
periodontal assessment.
� Question 4
A patient with xerostomia secondary to radiation therapy is at
greatest risk for developing:
A. Dental fluorosis
B. Radiation-related dental caries
C. Amelogenesis imperfecta
D. Hypercementosis
, � Correct Answer: B. Radiation-related dental caries
� Rationale:
Reduced salivary flow following head and neck radiation
significantly increases the risk of rapidly progressing dental
caries, especially along cervical margins.
� Question 5
Which odontogenic cyst is associated with the crown of an
unerupted tooth?
A. Radicular cyst
B. Residual cyst
C. Dentigerous cyst
D. Nasopalatine duct cyst
� Correct Answer: C. Dentigerous cyst
� Rationale:
Dentigerous cysts develop around the crowns of impacted or
unerupted teeth and attach at the cemento-enamel junction.
� Question 6
Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationale
Guaranteed Pass
� Question 1
A 36-year-old patient reports pain when chewing on the right
mandibular first molar. Clinical examination reveals a deep
occlusal restoration, and the tooth is tender to percussion but
does not respond to cold or electric pulp testing. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
A. Reversible pulpitis
B. Symptomatic apical periodontitis secondary to pulpal
necrosis
C. Dentin hypersensitivity
D. Chronic gingivitis
� Correct Answer: B. Symptomatic apical periodontitis
secondary to pulpal necrosis
,� Rationale:
A non-vital tooth with tenderness to percussion indicates pulpal
necrosis with inflammation of the periodontal ligament. Root
canal treatment or extraction is generally indicated.
� Question 2
Which anatomical landmark is most important when
administering an inferior alveolar nerve block?
A. Incisive papilla
B. Greater palatine foramen
C. Pterygomandibular raphe
D. Nasopalatine canal
� Correct Answer: C. Pterygomandibular raphe
� Rationale:
The pterygomandibular raphe is a key landmark used in locating
the injection site for an inferior alveolar nerve block.
� Question 3
Which radiographic examination is most appropriate for
evaluating generalized periodontal bone loss?
,A. Bitewing radiographs
B. Periapical radiographs
C. Panoramic radiograph
D. Full-mouth intraoral radiographic series
� Correct Answer: D. Full-mouth intraoral radiographic
series
� Rationale:
A full-mouth series provides detailed visualization of the
alveolar bone, root morphology, and periapical regions, making
it the preferred radiographic examination for comprehensive
periodontal assessment.
� Question 4
A patient with xerostomia secondary to radiation therapy is at
greatest risk for developing:
A. Dental fluorosis
B. Radiation-related dental caries
C. Amelogenesis imperfecta
D. Hypercementosis
, � Correct Answer: B. Radiation-related dental caries
� Rationale:
Reduced salivary flow following head and neck radiation
significantly increases the risk of rapidly progressing dental
caries, especially along cervical margins.
� Question 5
Which odontogenic cyst is associated with the crown of an
unerupted tooth?
A. Radicular cyst
B. Residual cyst
C. Dentigerous cyst
D. Nasopalatine duct cyst
� Correct Answer: C. Dentigerous cyst
� Rationale:
Dentigerous cysts develop around the crowns of impacted or
unerupted teeth and attach at the cemento-enamel junction.
� Question 6
