Page 1 of 148
PA EFDA BOARD EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE QUESTION BANK
2026-2027 ACADEMIC YEAR | 250+
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS &
RATIONALES
# SECTION I: DENTAL ANATOMY & TOOTH MORPHOLOGY
## Tooth Surfaces & Identification
### Question 1
How many surfaces does a permanent tooth have?
A) 3 surfaces – mesial, distal, and occlusal
B) 4 surfaces – facial, lingual, mesial, and distal
C) **5 surfaces – mesial, distal, buccal, lingual, and occlusal/incisal**
D) 6 surfaces – including the cervical aspect
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Every permanent tooth has five surfaces: mesial (toward midline), distal (away
from midline), buccal (toward cheeks) or labial (toward lips), lingual (toward tongue), and
occlusal (posterior teeth) or incisal (anterior teeth). The cervical area (neck of the tooth) is not
considered a separate surface.
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### Question 2
The cusp of Carabelli is found on which tooth?
A) Mandibular first molar
B) Maxillary second molar
C) **Maxillary first molar**
D) Mandibular second premolar
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The cusp of Carabelli is an accessory cusp located on the mesiolingual cusp of
maxillary first molars (teeth #3 and #14 in the universal numbering system). It is a characteristic
anatomical feature of the maxillary first molar and is frequently tested on the EFDA board exam.
---
### Question 3
Which surfaces are classified as facial surfaces of teeth?
A) Mesial and distal surfaces only
B) **Labial and buccal surfaces**
C) Lingual and palatal surfaces
D) Occlusal and incisal surfaces
**Correct Answer: B**
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**Rationale:** Facial surfaces include the labial surfaces of anterior teeth (toward the lips) and
buccal surfaces of posterior teeth (toward the cheeks). These surfaces are externally visible and
face outward from the dental arch.
---
### Question 4
A lingual pit is most commonly found on which teeth?
A) **Teeth #7 and #10 (maxillary lateral incisors)**
B) Teeth #8 and #9 (maxillary central incisors)
C) Teeth #3 and #14 (maxillary first molars)
D) Teeth #24 and #25 (mandibular central incisors)
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** The lingual pit is a characteristic anatomical feature most commonly found on
the lingual surfaces of maxillary lateral incisors (teeth #7 and #10 in the universal numbering
system). This pit is a common site for caries development.
---
### Question 5
What are mamelons?
A) Small cusps on molars
B) **Three rounded protuberances on the incisal edges of newly erupted incisors**
C) Elevations on the lingual surfaces of canines
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D) Depressions on the occlusal surfaces of premolars
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Mamelons are three rounded protuberances or small bumps found on the incisal
edges of newly erupted permanent incisors. They are typically worn down over time through
normal occlusal function and are not present on primary teeth.
---
### Question 6
Which tooth is most likely to have three buccal cusps?
A) Maxillary first molar
B) **Mandibular first molar**
C) Maxillary second molar
D) Mandibular second premolar
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The mandibular first molar typically has three buccal cusps and two lingual cusps
(total of five cusps). This is a distinguishing characteristic that differentiates it from other molars.
---
### Question 7
The label "Mesiobucco-occlusal" is appropriate for which dental structure?
PA EFDA BOARD EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE QUESTION BANK
2026-2027 ACADEMIC YEAR | 250+
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS &
RATIONALES
# SECTION I: DENTAL ANATOMY & TOOTH MORPHOLOGY
## Tooth Surfaces & Identification
### Question 1
How many surfaces does a permanent tooth have?
A) 3 surfaces – mesial, distal, and occlusal
B) 4 surfaces – facial, lingual, mesial, and distal
C) **5 surfaces – mesial, distal, buccal, lingual, and occlusal/incisal**
D) 6 surfaces – including the cervical aspect
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Every permanent tooth has five surfaces: mesial (toward midline), distal (away
from midline), buccal (toward cheeks) or labial (toward lips), lingual (toward tongue), and
occlusal (posterior teeth) or incisal (anterior teeth). The cervical area (neck of the tooth) is not
considered a separate surface.
,Page 2 of 148
### Question 2
The cusp of Carabelli is found on which tooth?
A) Mandibular first molar
B) Maxillary second molar
C) **Maxillary first molar**
D) Mandibular second premolar
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The cusp of Carabelli is an accessory cusp located on the mesiolingual cusp of
maxillary first molars (teeth #3 and #14 in the universal numbering system). It is a characteristic
anatomical feature of the maxillary first molar and is frequently tested on the EFDA board exam.
---
### Question 3
Which surfaces are classified as facial surfaces of teeth?
A) Mesial and distal surfaces only
B) **Labial and buccal surfaces**
C) Lingual and palatal surfaces
D) Occlusal and incisal surfaces
**Correct Answer: B**
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**Rationale:** Facial surfaces include the labial surfaces of anterior teeth (toward the lips) and
buccal surfaces of posterior teeth (toward the cheeks). These surfaces are externally visible and
face outward from the dental arch.
---
### Question 4
A lingual pit is most commonly found on which teeth?
A) **Teeth #7 and #10 (maxillary lateral incisors)**
B) Teeth #8 and #9 (maxillary central incisors)
C) Teeth #3 and #14 (maxillary first molars)
D) Teeth #24 and #25 (mandibular central incisors)
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** The lingual pit is a characteristic anatomical feature most commonly found on
the lingual surfaces of maxillary lateral incisors (teeth #7 and #10 in the universal numbering
system). This pit is a common site for caries development.
---
### Question 5
What are mamelons?
A) Small cusps on molars
B) **Three rounded protuberances on the incisal edges of newly erupted incisors**
C) Elevations on the lingual surfaces of canines
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D) Depressions on the occlusal surfaces of premolars
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** Mamelons are three rounded protuberances or small bumps found on the incisal
edges of newly erupted permanent incisors. They are typically worn down over time through
normal occlusal function and are not present on primary teeth.
---
### Question 6
Which tooth is most likely to have three buccal cusps?
A) Maxillary first molar
B) **Mandibular first molar**
C) Maxillary second molar
D) Mandibular second premolar
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The mandibular first molar typically has three buccal cusps and two lingual cusps
(total of five cusps). This is a distinguishing characteristic that differentiates it from other molars.
---
### Question 7
The label "Mesiobucco-occlusal" is appropriate for which dental structure?
