Part I Theoretical Perspectives
, Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Materials Science and Dentistry
Chapter 3 Physical and Mechanical Properties of Dental Materials
Chapter 4 Adhesive Materials
Chapter 5 Direct Polymeric Restorative Materials
Chapter 6 Amalgam
Chapter 7 Dental Cements
Chapter 8 Impression Materials
Chapter 9 Gypsum Materials
Chapter 10 Materials for Fixed Indirect Restorations and Prostheses
Chapter 11 Removable Prostheses and Acrylic Resins
Chapter 12 Dental Implants
Chapter 13 Specialty Materials
Chapter 14 Clinical Detection and Management of Dental Restorative Materials during Scaling and Polishing
Chapter 15 Radiographic Appearance of Dental Tissues and Materials
Chapter 16 Polishing Materials and Abrasion
Chapter 17 Tooth Whitening
Chapter 18 Oral Appliances
Chapter 19 Instruments as Dental Materials-Care and Maintenance
Chapter 20 Infection Control and Safety in the Dental Office
Chapter 21 Disinfection of Impressions, Dentures, and Other Appliances and Materials
Chapter 22 General Rules for Handling Dental Materials
Part II Laboratory and Clinical Applications
Chapter 23 Mixing Liners, Bases, and Cements
Chapter 24 Application and Removal of the Rubber Dam
Chapter 25 Pit and Fissure Sealants
Chapter 26 Amalgam Placement, Carving, Finishing, and Polishing
Chapter 27 Taking Alginate Impressions
Chapter 28 Fabrication and Trimming of Study Models
Chapter 29 Fabrication of a Custom Impression Tray
Chapter 30 Elastomeric Impressions
Chapter 31 Vital Tooth Whitening Procedures
Chapter 32 Debonding Orthodontic Resins
,Chapter 33 Placement of the Periodontal Dressing
Chapter 34 Removal of the Periodontal Dressing and Sutures
Chapter 35 Temporary Crowns
Chapter 36 Composite Finishing and Polishing
Chapter 37 Tips for the New Hygienist
,Chapter 1 – Introduction
Q1
You are selecting a material for a class II restoration in a patient with high occlusal
stress. Which factor should primarily guide your material choice?
A. Cost of the material
B. Manufacturer brand reputation
C. Physical and mechanical properties relevant to clinical performance
D. Color matching only
Answer: C
Rationale: Clinical decision-making requires selecting materials based on properties
such as strength, wear resistance, and longevity for the specific application.
Key words: material selection, clinical decision, mechanical properties
Q2
During a restorative procedure, you notice the chosen material is difficult to manipulate
in the patient’s mouth. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Force the material into place to save time
B. Switch to a more manageable material with similar properties
C. Abandon the procedure and schedule a new appointment
D. Ask the patient to assist with placement
Answer: B
Rationale: Clinicians must adapt materials or techniques to ensure proper adaptation,
handling, and safety during procedures.
Key words: material handling, adaptability, clinical decision
,Q3
A patient presents with a fractured restoration, and you must choose a replacement
material. Which skill is most critical at this stage?
A. Estimating cost for insurance purposes
B. Evaluating the properties of materials in relation to tooth location and function
C. Selecting the most popular material
D. Avoiding local anesthesia
Answer: B
Rationale: Applied material knowledge ensures restorations meet functional,
mechanical, and esthetic requirements.
Key words: clinical evaluation, material properties, restoration repair
Q4
You are preparing to handle dental materials in a lab. Which step is most important
before beginning manipulation?
A. Reading patient feedback forms
B. Reviewing manufacturer instructions and setting proper environmental controls
C. Selecting instruments by color
D. Measuring only temperature, ignoring humidity
Answer: B
Rationale: Safe and effective handling requires following manufacturer guidance and
controlling temperature/humidity to preserve material integrity.
Key words: handling, lab preparation, environmental controls
Q5
,During a pre-clinical exercise, you are asked to mix a cement for a provisional
restoration. Which principle guides your technique?
A. Mixing for aesthetic appearance only
B. Following correct powder-to-liquid ratio and timing to achieve optimal properties
C. Using excessive material to ensure coverage
D. Ignoring setting time
Answer: B
Rationale: Accurate mixing ensures proper consistency, strength, and clinical
effectiveness.
Key words: mixing, powder-liquid ratio, provisional restoration
Q6
While demonstrating infection control procedures, a student is unsure how to handle
impression materials safely. Which action demonstrates correct clinical judgment?
A. Rinse impressions briefly and store dry
B. Disinfect impressions according to material type and manufacturer instructions
C. Hand them directly to the lab without disinfection
D. Immerse all impressions in bleach for 24 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper disinfection prevents cross-contamination while maintaining
dimensional stability of the material.
Key words: infection control, disinfection, impression materials
Q7
A patient expresses concern about material safety (e.g., mercury in amalgam). What is
the best approach to handle this situation?
, A. Ignore the concern to save time
B. Provide evidence-based information on material safety and alternatives
C. Offer only the most expensive material
D. Reassure without explanation
Answer: B
Rationale: Clinicians must educate patients about materials’ safety and options,
supporting informed consent.
Key words: patient education, informed consent, material safety
Q8
You are tasked with evaluating two materials for a lab-based crown preparation
exercise. Which is the best approach?
A. Compare handling, setting characteristics, and ease of finishing in a simulated
clinical scenario
B. Select based solely on color
C. Choose the material that is easiest to purchase
D. Ask a peer which material they prefer
Answer: A
Rationale: Applied evaluation requires testing material behavior under simulated clinical
conditions to inform selection.
Key words: lab evaluation, handling, crown preparation
Q9
During a clinical skills assessment, a faculty member asks you to explain why a
restorative material was selected. Which rationale demonstrates applied knowledge?
A. “I chose it because it looks nice.”
, Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Materials Science and Dentistry
Chapter 3 Physical and Mechanical Properties of Dental Materials
Chapter 4 Adhesive Materials
Chapter 5 Direct Polymeric Restorative Materials
Chapter 6 Amalgam
Chapter 7 Dental Cements
Chapter 8 Impression Materials
Chapter 9 Gypsum Materials
Chapter 10 Materials for Fixed Indirect Restorations and Prostheses
Chapter 11 Removable Prostheses and Acrylic Resins
Chapter 12 Dental Implants
Chapter 13 Specialty Materials
Chapter 14 Clinical Detection and Management of Dental Restorative Materials during Scaling and Polishing
Chapter 15 Radiographic Appearance of Dental Tissues and Materials
Chapter 16 Polishing Materials and Abrasion
Chapter 17 Tooth Whitening
Chapter 18 Oral Appliances
Chapter 19 Instruments as Dental Materials-Care and Maintenance
Chapter 20 Infection Control and Safety in the Dental Office
Chapter 21 Disinfection of Impressions, Dentures, and Other Appliances and Materials
Chapter 22 General Rules for Handling Dental Materials
Part II Laboratory and Clinical Applications
Chapter 23 Mixing Liners, Bases, and Cements
Chapter 24 Application and Removal of the Rubber Dam
Chapter 25 Pit and Fissure Sealants
Chapter 26 Amalgam Placement, Carving, Finishing, and Polishing
Chapter 27 Taking Alginate Impressions
Chapter 28 Fabrication and Trimming of Study Models
Chapter 29 Fabrication of a Custom Impression Tray
Chapter 30 Elastomeric Impressions
Chapter 31 Vital Tooth Whitening Procedures
Chapter 32 Debonding Orthodontic Resins
,Chapter 33 Placement of the Periodontal Dressing
Chapter 34 Removal of the Periodontal Dressing and Sutures
Chapter 35 Temporary Crowns
Chapter 36 Composite Finishing and Polishing
Chapter 37 Tips for the New Hygienist
,Chapter 1 – Introduction
Q1
You are selecting a material for a class II restoration in a patient with high occlusal
stress. Which factor should primarily guide your material choice?
A. Cost of the material
B. Manufacturer brand reputation
C. Physical and mechanical properties relevant to clinical performance
D. Color matching only
Answer: C
Rationale: Clinical decision-making requires selecting materials based on properties
such as strength, wear resistance, and longevity for the specific application.
Key words: material selection, clinical decision, mechanical properties
Q2
During a restorative procedure, you notice the chosen material is difficult to manipulate
in the patient’s mouth. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Force the material into place to save time
B. Switch to a more manageable material with similar properties
C. Abandon the procedure and schedule a new appointment
D. Ask the patient to assist with placement
Answer: B
Rationale: Clinicians must adapt materials or techniques to ensure proper adaptation,
handling, and safety during procedures.
Key words: material handling, adaptability, clinical decision
,Q3
A patient presents with a fractured restoration, and you must choose a replacement
material. Which skill is most critical at this stage?
A. Estimating cost for insurance purposes
B. Evaluating the properties of materials in relation to tooth location and function
C. Selecting the most popular material
D. Avoiding local anesthesia
Answer: B
Rationale: Applied material knowledge ensures restorations meet functional,
mechanical, and esthetic requirements.
Key words: clinical evaluation, material properties, restoration repair
Q4
You are preparing to handle dental materials in a lab. Which step is most important
before beginning manipulation?
A. Reading patient feedback forms
B. Reviewing manufacturer instructions and setting proper environmental controls
C. Selecting instruments by color
D. Measuring only temperature, ignoring humidity
Answer: B
Rationale: Safe and effective handling requires following manufacturer guidance and
controlling temperature/humidity to preserve material integrity.
Key words: handling, lab preparation, environmental controls
Q5
,During a pre-clinical exercise, you are asked to mix a cement for a provisional
restoration. Which principle guides your technique?
A. Mixing for aesthetic appearance only
B. Following correct powder-to-liquid ratio and timing to achieve optimal properties
C. Using excessive material to ensure coverage
D. Ignoring setting time
Answer: B
Rationale: Accurate mixing ensures proper consistency, strength, and clinical
effectiveness.
Key words: mixing, powder-liquid ratio, provisional restoration
Q6
While demonstrating infection control procedures, a student is unsure how to handle
impression materials safely. Which action demonstrates correct clinical judgment?
A. Rinse impressions briefly and store dry
B. Disinfect impressions according to material type and manufacturer instructions
C. Hand them directly to the lab without disinfection
D. Immerse all impressions in bleach for 24 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper disinfection prevents cross-contamination while maintaining
dimensional stability of the material.
Key words: infection control, disinfection, impression materials
Q7
A patient expresses concern about material safety (e.g., mercury in amalgam). What is
the best approach to handle this situation?
, A. Ignore the concern to save time
B. Provide evidence-based information on material safety and alternatives
C. Offer only the most expensive material
D. Reassure without explanation
Answer: B
Rationale: Clinicians must educate patients about materials’ safety and options,
supporting informed consent.
Key words: patient education, informed consent, material safety
Q8
You are tasked with evaluating two materials for a lab-based crown preparation
exercise. Which is the best approach?
A. Compare handling, setting characteristics, and ease of finishing in a simulated
clinical scenario
B. Select based solely on color
C. Choose the material that is easiest to purchase
D. Ask a peer which material they prefer
Answer: A
Rationale: Applied evaluation requires testing material behavior under simulated clinical
conditions to inform selection.
Key words: lab evaluation, handling, crown preparation
Q9
During a clinical skills assessment, a faculty member asks you to explain why a
restorative material was selected. Which rationale demonstrates applied knowledge?
A. “I chose it because it looks nice.”
