CDCA-WREB-CITA Dental Examination
Practice Exam 2026 | 100 Advanced
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Dental Licensing Exam
Prep & Study Guide
1. A patient presents for a posterior composite restoration on a deep proximal
lesion. During caries removal, the remaining dentin over the pulp appears
very thin, but there is no pulp exposure and the tooth is asymptomatic.
What is the most appropriate management?
A. Complete removal of all affected dentin regardless of depth
B. Perform a pulpotomy
C. Use selective caries removal and place an appropriate protective liner/base
when indicated
D. Extract the tooth
Answer: Use selective caries removal and place an appropriate protective
liner/base when indicated
,Rationale: Selective caries removal in a deep lesion can reduce the risk of pulpal
exposure while preserving affected dentin that can be sealed effectively. The
clinical decision depends on pulp status, lesion depth, and the restorative
material.
2. During preparation for a Class II composite restoration, which factor is most
important for minimizing postoperative sensitivity and microleakage?
A. Increasing the occlusal convergence
B. Maintaining adequate isolation and achieving proper adhesive technique
C. Removing all enamel at the cavosurface
D. Using a thick flowable composite layer throughout the restoration
Answer: Maintaining adequate isolation and achieving proper adhesive
technique
Rationale: Moisture contamination can compromise bonding substantially.
Proper isolation, appropriate etching/priming or universal adhesive application,
and adequate polymerization are essential for predictable posterior composite
restorations.
3. A mandibular first molar requires a full-coverage crown. Which margin
design is generally appropriate for a metal-ceramic crown when esthetics
and periodontal considerations must both be considered?
A. Feather-edge margin on all surfaces
B. Shoulder or rounded shoulder on the facial ceramic margin with an appropriate
metal margin elsewhere
C. Knife-edge margin circumferentially
D. No finish line
Answer: Shoulder or rounded shoulder on the facial ceramic margin with an
appropriate metal margin elsewhere
Rationale: Ceramic requires sufficient restorative material thickness for strength
and esthetics. A shoulder or rounded shoulder provides the necessary space for
the ceramic while allowing conservative designs where metal is used.
, 4. A patient has a localized 7-mm periodontal pocket with bleeding on probing
and radiographic vertical bone loss. Which treatment is most appropriate
initially?
A. Immediate extraction
B. Scaling and root planing with comprehensive periodontal evaluation and
reassessment
C. Occlusal adjustment alone
D. Antibiotics alone
Answer: Scaling and root planing with comprehensive periodontal evaluation
and reassessment
Rationale: Localized periodontal pockets associated with inflammation and
attachment loss generally require mechanical periodontal therapy followed by
reassessment. Systemic antibiotics alone do not eliminate the subgingival
biofilm.
5. A patient reports spontaneous, lingering pain to cold and heat from a
mandibular molar. The tooth is tender to percussion. Which pulpal
diagnosis is most likely?
A. Reversible pulpitis
B. Normal pulp
C. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with symptomatic apical periodontitis
D. Pulp necrosis with chronic apical abscess
Answer: Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with symptomatic apical periodontitis
Rationale: Lingering thermal pain is characteristic of irreversible pulpal
inflammation, while percussion sensitivity indicates inflammation of the
periodontal ligament and symptomatic apical periodontitis.
6. Which radiographic finding most strongly suggests internal resorption?
A. Radiolucency superimposed over the root
B. Uniform enlargement of the canal space centered within the root
, C. Horizontal bone loss
D. Widened periodontal ligament at the apex only
Answer: Uniform enlargement of the canal space centered within the root
Rationale: Internal resorption produces a relatively symmetrical, balloon-like
enlargement of the root canal space. External resorption generally produces an
irregular defect that may leave the canal outline intact.
7. A patient taking warfarin requires an extraction. What is the most
appropriate general approach?
A. Discontinue warfarin without consultation
B. Obtain appropriate anticoagulation information and use local hemostatic
measures
C. Automatically administer vitamin K
D. Refuse treatment permanently
Answer: Obtain appropriate anticoagulation information and use local
hemostatic measures
Rationale: Many routine dental extractions can be performed safely with
appropriate assessment and local hemostatic techniques. Anticoagulant therapy
should not be discontinued independently because of thromboembolic risk.
8. Which local anesthetic injection is generally used to anesthetize the
mandibular teeth in one quadrant?
A. Greater palatine block
B. Inferior alveolar nerve block
C. Posterior superior alveolar block
D. Nasopalatine block
Answer: Inferior alveolar nerve block
Rationale: The inferior alveolar nerve block anesthetizes the mandibular teeth
on the injected side, although supplemental anesthesia may be necessary for
certain soft tissues and individual teeth.
Practice Exam 2026 | 100 Advanced
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Dental Licensing Exam
Prep & Study Guide
1. A patient presents for a posterior composite restoration on a deep proximal
lesion. During caries removal, the remaining dentin over the pulp appears
very thin, but there is no pulp exposure and the tooth is asymptomatic.
What is the most appropriate management?
A. Complete removal of all affected dentin regardless of depth
B. Perform a pulpotomy
C. Use selective caries removal and place an appropriate protective liner/base
when indicated
D. Extract the tooth
Answer: Use selective caries removal and place an appropriate protective
liner/base when indicated
,Rationale: Selective caries removal in a deep lesion can reduce the risk of pulpal
exposure while preserving affected dentin that can be sealed effectively. The
clinical decision depends on pulp status, lesion depth, and the restorative
material.
2. During preparation for a Class II composite restoration, which factor is most
important for minimizing postoperative sensitivity and microleakage?
A. Increasing the occlusal convergence
B. Maintaining adequate isolation and achieving proper adhesive technique
C. Removing all enamel at the cavosurface
D. Using a thick flowable composite layer throughout the restoration
Answer: Maintaining adequate isolation and achieving proper adhesive
technique
Rationale: Moisture contamination can compromise bonding substantially.
Proper isolation, appropriate etching/priming or universal adhesive application,
and adequate polymerization are essential for predictable posterior composite
restorations.
3. A mandibular first molar requires a full-coverage crown. Which margin
design is generally appropriate for a metal-ceramic crown when esthetics
and periodontal considerations must both be considered?
A. Feather-edge margin on all surfaces
B. Shoulder or rounded shoulder on the facial ceramic margin with an appropriate
metal margin elsewhere
C. Knife-edge margin circumferentially
D. No finish line
Answer: Shoulder or rounded shoulder on the facial ceramic margin with an
appropriate metal margin elsewhere
Rationale: Ceramic requires sufficient restorative material thickness for strength
and esthetics. A shoulder or rounded shoulder provides the necessary space for
the ceramic while allowing conservative designs where metal is used.
, 4. A patient has a localized 7-mm periodontal pocket with bleeding on probing
and radiographic vertical bone loss. Which treatment is most appropriate
initially?
A. Immediate extraction
B. Scaling and root planing with comprehensive periodontal evaluation and
reassessment
C. Occlusal adjustment alone
D. Antibiotics alone
Answer: Scaling and root planing with comprehensive periodontal evaluation
and reassessment
Rationale: Localized periodontal pockets associated with inflammation and
attachment loss generally require mechanical periodontal therapy followed by
reassessment. Systemic antibiotics alone do not eliminate the subgingival
biofilm.
5. A patient reports spontaneous, lingering pain to cold and heat from a
mandibular molar. The tooth is tender to percussion. Which pulpal
diagnosis is most likely?
A. Reversible pulpitis
B. Normal pulp
C. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with symptomatic apical periodontitis
D. Pulp necrosis with chronic apical abscess
Answer: Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with symptomatic apical periodontitis
Rationale: Lingering thermal pain is characteristic of irreversible pulpal
inflammation, while percussion sensitivity indicates inflammation of the
periodontal ligament and symptomatic apical periodontitis.
6. Which radiographic finding most strongly suggests internal resorption?
A. Radiolucency superimposed over the root
B. Uniform enlargement of the canal space centered within the root
, C. Horizontal bone loss
D. Widened periodontal ligament at the apex only
Answer: Uniform enlargement of the canal space centered within the root
Rationale: Internal resorption produces a relatively symmetrical, balloon-like
enlargement of the root canal space. External resorption generally produces an
irregular defect that may leave the canal outline intact.
7. A patient taking warfarin requires an extraction. What is the most
appropriate general approach?
A. Discontinue warfarin without consultation
B. Obtain appropriate anticoagulation information and use local hemostatic
measures
C. Automatically administer vitamin K
D. Refuse treatment permanently
Answer: Obtain appropriate anticoagulation information and use local
hemostatic measures
Rationale: Many routine dental extractions can be performed safely with
appropriate assessment and local hemostatic techniques. Anticoagulant therapy
should not be discontinued independently because of thromboembolic risk.
8. Which local anesthetic injection is generally used to anesthetize the
mandibular teeth in one quadrant?
A. Greater palatine block
B. Inferior alveolar nerve block
C. Posterior superior alveolar block
D. Nasopalatine block
Answer: Inferior alveolar nerve block
Rationale: The inferior alveolar nerve block anesthetizes the mandibular teeth
on the injected side, although supplemental anesthesia may be necessary for
certain soft tissues and individual teeth.
