PA EFDA board exam study
guide Comprehensive
Questions (Frequently Tested)
with Verified Answers Graded
A+
Marginal ridge - Answer: Ridge or elevation of enamel forming the margin of the surface of a
tooth; specifically at the mesial and distal margins of the occlusal surfaces of premolars and
molars, and the mesial and distal margins of the lingual surfaces of incisors and canines.
Triangular ridge - Answer: An elevation of enamel that descends from the cusp into the middle
area of the occlusal surface
Transverse ridge - Answer: Ridge formed by joining of two triangular ridges crossing occlusal
table transversely or from buccal to lingual outline
Oblique ridge - Answer: Transverse ridge that crosses occlusal table obliquely from mesiolingual
to distobuccal on most maxillary molars
Bifurcated - Answer: Single tooth with 2 roots
,Cementum - Answer: Specialized, calcified connective tissue that covers the anatomic root of a
tooth
CEJ (cementoenamel junction) - Answer: where the cementum and enamel meet
Cingulumn - Answer: Small bump near cervical third on lingual side
Enamel - Answer: hard, outermost layer of a tooth
DEJ (dentinoenamel junction) - Answer: Where the dentin and enamel meet
Fissure - Answer: deep groove, incomplete closure of lobes
Fossae - Answer: Major depression on occlusal surface of tooth
Periodontal Lingament (PDL) - Answer: Fibers that connect tooth to bone
Periodontium - Answer: consists of the bone and soft tissues that surround and support the
teeth
Pulp - Answer: The tissue that contains the blood vessels and nerves of a tooth. Feels pain
Sulcus - Answer: Unattached free gingiva - gingiva crevice
Pit - Answer: A small pinpoint depression on the surface of a tooth that is caused by the failure
of the union of the developmental grooves
, Cusp - Answer: Major elevation or convexity on the masticatory surfaces of canines and
posterior teeth
Ridge - Answer: a linear elevation of enamel found on the tooth
Clinical crown - Answer: That portion of the tooth that is visible in the oral cavity
Anatomical crown - Answer: Portion of the tooth that is covered with enamel (non-visible)
Dentin - Answer: Dense tissue forming the bulk of a tooth
Function of anterior teeth - Answer: Tear/ cut food without heavy force
Function of posterior teeth - Answer: Crush/ grind food with heavy force
Tooth Numbering systems - Answer: universal/national numbering system, federation dentaire
internationale (fdi, ISO), palmer notation system
Attrition - Answer: Wearing away tooth structure from Tooth to tooth contact
Abrasion - Answer: Wearing away tooth by brushing habits, mechanical motions
Abfraction - Answer: Wearing away tooth structure by Uneven forces at gingival margin
Erosion - Answer: Wearing away tooth from bacteria; acids and diet
Acellular cementum - Answer: Cannot be repaired. Located at cervical third of apex
guide Comprehensive
Questions (Frequently Tested)
with Verified Answers Graded
A+
Marginal ridge - Answer: Ridge or elevation of enamel forming the margin of the surface of a
tooth; specifically at the mesial and distal margins of the occlusal surfaces of premolars and
molars, and the mesial and distal margins of the lingual surfaces of incisors and canines.
Triangular ridge - Answer: An elevation of enamel that descends from the cusp into the middle
area of the occlusal surface
Transverse ridge - Answer: Ridge formed by joining of two triangular ridges crossing occlusal
table transversely or from buccal to lingual outline
Oblique ridge - Answer: Transverse ridge that crosses occlusal table obliquely from mesiolingual
to distobuccal on most maxillary molars
Bifurcated - Answer: Single tooth with 2 roots
,Cementum - Answer: Specialized, calcified connective tissue that covers the anatomic root of a
tooth
CEJ (cementoenamel junction) - Answer: where the cementum and enamel meet
Cingulumn - Answer: Small bump near cervical third on lingual side
Enamel - Answer: hard, outermost layer of a tooth
DEJ (dentinoenamel junction) - Answer: Where the dentin and enamel meet
Fissure - Answer: deep groove, incomplete closure of lobes
Fossae - Answer: Major depression on occlusal surface of tooth
Periodontal Lingament (PDL) - Answer: Fibers that connect tooth to bone
Periodontium - Answer: consists of the bone and soft tissues that surround and support the
teeth
Pulp - Answer: The tissue that contains the blood vessels and nerves of a tooth. Feels pain
Sulcus - Answer: Unattached free gingiva - gingiva crevice
Pit - Answer: A small pinpoint depression on the surface of a tooth that is caused by the failure
of the union of the developmental grooves
, Cusp - Answer: Major elevation or convexity on the masticatory surfaces of canines and
posterior teeth
Ridge - Answer: a linear elevation of enamel found on the tooth
Clinical crown - Answer: That portion of the tooth that is visible in the oral cavity
Anatomical crown - Answer: Portion of the tooth that is covered with enamel (non-visible)
Dentin - Answer: Dense tissue forming the bulk of a tooth
Function of anterior teeth - Answer: Tear/ cut food without heavy force
Function of posterior teeth - Answer: Crush/ grind food with heavy force
Tooth Numbering systems - Answer: universal/national numbering system, federation dentaire
internationale (fdi, ISO), palmer notation system
Attrition - Answer: Wearing away tooth structure from Tooth to tooth contact
Abrasion - Answer: Wearing away tooth by brushing habits, mechanical motions
Abfraction - Answer: Wearing away tooth structure by Uneven forces at gingival margin
Erosion - Answer: Wearing away tooth from bacteria; acids and diet
Acellular cementum - Answer: Cannot be repaired. Located at cervical third of apex
