Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Exam 1
2025 | Complete Questions & Answers
(100% Correct)
[Professionalism & planning for CDA practice]
Secondary teeth - ANSWER - total of 32 secondary teeth, 8 incisors, 4 cuspids, 8
premolars, and 12 molars.
Primary Teeth (Deciduous) - ANSWER - total of 20 primary teeth, 8 incisors, 4 cuspids,
and 8 molars. No premolars are developed. Incisors are the first to erupt.
Maxilla - ANSWER - two bones forming the upper jaw, rigidly attached to the skull.
Mandible - ANSWER - a horseshoe shaped bone wich articulates with thte skull by way
of the TMJ.
Catenary Arch - ANSWER - the distinctive shape of the dental arches.
Diphyodont - ANSWER - Formation of two sets of teeth in the life span, "two
generations of teeth"
Monophyodont - ANSWER - one generation of teeth
Polyphyodont - ANSWER - a lifetime of generations of teeth, like a conveyor belt. such
teeth have a breif life and are simple in design
Homodont - ANSWER - all of the teeth in the jaw are alike.
Heterodont - ANSWER - distictive classes of teeth that are regionally specialized
Anodontia - ANSWER - the developmental absence of teeth
Anatomical Crown - ANSWER - the enamel covered part of a tooth above the gum
Clinical Crown - ANSWER - the portion that you can see when veiwing the mouth.
Cervical Line - ANSWER - the line that separates the anatomic crown from the
anatomic root. Also called the cemento-enamel-junction (CEJ) junction between the
cementum and the enamel
, Pulp Cavity - ANSWER - the space that contains the pulp or 'nerve' of the tooth
Pulp - ANSWER - The central innermost portion of the tooth.
Cusp - ANSWER - small elevation on the grinding surface of a tooth
Cingulum - ANSWER - an encircling girdle-like structure (as the ridge around the base
of a tooth)
Lobe - ANSWER - one of the primary centers of formation in the development of the
crown of the tooth.
Mamelon - ANSWER - Rounded prominences on the incisal edge of newly erupted
anterior teeth. (3 bumps on permanent teeth)
Ridge - ANSWER - any linear elevation on the surface of a tooth.
Marginal Ridges - ANSWER - Linear elevations found at the mesial and distal
terminations of the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth. Also found on anterior teeth but
are less prominent, forming the lateral margins of the lingual surface
Triangular Ridges - ANSWER - main ridges on each cusp that run from the tip of the
cusp to the central part of the occlusal surface
Enamel - ANSWER - the outermost layer of a tooth; the hardest material in the body;
protects nerves and softer material inside the tooth
Dentin - ANSWER - Makes up the bulk of the tooth structures located around the pulp
cavity and under the enamel within the anatomical crown.
Pulp Chamber - ANSWER - the center or innermost portion of the tooth containing the
pulp
Root - ANSWER - the part of a tooth that is embedded in the jaw and serves as support
Root Apex - ANSWER - The entrance point of the nerve, blood vessels and connective
tissue that constitutes the pulp.
Incisors - ANSWER - The 4 front teeth, known as the biting edge of the anterior teeth.
Cuspids - ANSWER - Teeth next to the incisors. One tooth per quadrant, primarily used
in tearing/ripping food.
Premolars - ANSWER - function is holding and grinding; 4 mandible, 4 maxillary; 2-3
cusps; posterior teeth
Molars - ANSWER - The back 12 teeth, used to chew, 3 teeth per quadrant.
2025 | Complete Questions & Answers
(100% Correct)
[Professionalism & planning for CDA practice]
Secondary teeth - ANSWER - total of 32 secondary teeth, 8 incisors, 4 cuspids, 8
premolars, and 12 molars.
Primary Teeth (Deciduous) - ANSWER - total of 20 primary teeth, 8 incisors, 4 cuspids,
and 8 molars. No premolars are developed. Incisors are the first to erupt.
Maxilla - ANSWER - two bones forming the upper jaw, rigidly attached to the skull.
Mandible - ANSWER - a horseshoe shaped bone wich articulates with thte skull by way
of the TMJ.
Catenary Arch - ANSWER - the distinctive shape of the dental arches.
Diphyodont - ANSWER - Formation of two sets of teeth in the life span, "two
generations of teeth"
Monophyodont - ANSWER - one generation of teeth
Polyphyodont - ANSWER - a lifetime of generations of teeth, like a conveyor belt. such
teeth have a breif life and are simple in design
Homodont - ANSWER - all of the teeth in the jaw are alike.
Heterodont - ANSWER - distictive classes of teeth that are regionally specialized
Anodontia - ANSWER - the developmental absence of teeth
Anatomical Crown - ANSWER - the enamel covered part of a tooth above the gum
Clinical Crown - ANSWER - the portion that you can see when veiwing the mouth.
Cervical Line - ANSWER - the line that separates the anatomic crown from the
anatomic root. Also called the cemento-enamel-junction (CEJ) junction between the
cementum and the enamel
, Pulp Cavity - ANSWER - the space that contains the pulp or 'nerve' of the tooth
Pulp - ANSWER - The central innermost portion of the tooth.
Cusp - ANSWER - small elevation on the grinding surface of a tooth
Cingulum - ANSWER - an encircling girdle-like structure (as the ridge around the base
of a tooth)
Lobe - ANSWER - one of the primary centers of formation in the development of the
crown of the tooth.
Mamelon - ANSWER - Rounded prominences on the incisal edge of newly erupted
anterior teeth. (3 bumps on permanent teeth)
Ridge - ANSWER - any linear elevation on the surface of a tooth.
Marginal Ridges - ANSWER - Linear elevations found at the mesial and distal
terminations of the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth. Also found on anterior teeth but
are less prominent, forming the lateral margins of the lingual surface
Triangular Ridges - ANSWER - main ridges on each cusp that run from the tip of the
cusp to the central part of the occlusal surface
Enamel - ANSWER - the outermost layer of a tooth; the hardest material in the body;
protects nerves and softer material inside the tooth
Dentin - ANSWER - Makes up the bulk of the tooth structures located around the pulp
cavity and under the enamel within the anatomical crown.
Pulp Chamber - ANSWER - the center or innermost portion of the tooth containing the
pulp
Root - ANSWER - the part of a tooth that is embedded in the jaw and serves as support
Root Apex - ANSWER - The entrance point of the nerve, blood vessels and connective
tissue that constitutes the pulp.
Incisors - ANSWER - The 4 front teeth, known as the biting edge of the anterior teeth.
Cuspids - ANSWER - Teeth next to the incisors. One tooth per quadrant, primarily used
in tearing/ripping food.
Premolars - ANSWER - function is holding and grinding; 4 mandible, 4 maxillary; 2-3
cusps; posterior teeth
Molars - ANSWER - The back 12 teeth, used to chew, 3 teeth per quadrant.
