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Endo National Board Questions
1. To ensure better thermal and protective insulation of the pulp during a capping procedure, calcium
hydroxide should be:
A. Applied to a thickness of 3.0 mm.
B. Placed in all cavity preparations.
C. Covered with a stronger base.
D. Preceded by application of a cavity varnish.
E. Preceded by application of a zinc phosphate cement.
2. In shaping and cleansing the canal of a vital maxillary central incisor, a practitioner has inadvertently
perforated the apical foramen. This error can result in each of the following EXCEPT one. Which one is
this EXCEPTION?
A. Pain to the patient
B. Enlargement of the foramen
C. Trauma to the apical tissue
D. Necrotic tissue being forced into the apical tissues
3. A dentist restored an endodontically treated tooth with a case post-and-core and a metal ceramic
crown. Three months later, the patient calls and complains of pain, especially on biting. Tooth
mobility is normal, as are the radiographs. The most probable cause of pain is:
A. A loose crown.
B. Psychosomatic
C. A vertical root fracture.
D. A premature eccentric contact.
4. Calcium hydroxide is generally the material-of-choice in vital pulp capping because it:
A. Is less irritating to the pulp.
B. Encourages dentin bridge formation.
C. Seals the cavity better than most other materials.
5. The ideal bone graft should do each of the following EXCEPT one. Which one is this EXCEPTION?
A. Induce osteogenesis
B. Withstand mechanical forces
C. Produce an immunologic response
D. Become replaced by host bone.
6. During the preparation of a Class II cavity, which of the following permanent teeth pulp horns will be
the most subject to accidental exposure?
A. Distofacial of a maxillary first molar
B. Distofacial of a mandibular first molar
C. Facial of a mandibular first premolar
D. Lingual of a mandibular first premolar
7. A diagnostic test failed to identify five cases of true disease. This type of failure is known as a:
A. False negative.
B. False positive.
C. Positive predictive value.
D. Negative predictive value.
8. Which of the following is the most effective way to reduce injury to the pulp during a restorative
procedure?
A. Prepare dentin with slow-speed burs
B. Use anesthetics without vasoconstrictors
C. Minimize dehydration of the dentinal surface
D. Keep the dentinal surface clean by frequent irrigation
9. Aging of the pulp is evidenced by an increase in:
A. Vascularity.
B. Cellular elements.
C. Fibrous elements.
D. Pulp stones.
10. A patient is experiencing a throbbing pain in a specific tooth. This pain is aggravated by heat and
relieved by cold. The tooth is sensitive to percussion. The most likely diagnosis is:
A. Occlusal trauma.
B. Periodontal abscess.
C. Irreversible pulpitis.
D. Hyperemia of the pulp.
11. Which of the following is the most consistent finding in systemic infections?
A. Fever
B. Tachypnea
C. Lymphadenopathy
D. Abscess formation
E. Cellulitis formation
12. When providing endodontic treatment for a patient who has a history of rheumatic heart disease, the
dentist should especially avoid which of the following?
A. Underinstrumentation of a vital tooth
B. Overinstrumentation of a vital tooth
C. Underinstrumentation of a necrotic tooth
D. Overinstrumentation of a necrotic tooth
13. The day after receiving an inferior alveolar nerve block, a patient experiences limited ability to open his
mouth. Which of the following structures was most probably injured?
A. The medial pterygoid muscle
B. The stylomandibular ligament
C. The deep fibers of the masseter muscle
D. The posterior belly of the digastric muscle
E. The inferior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle
14. An endodontic instrument separated in the apical third of a root canal. The fragment is 3 mm long and is
tightly lodged. No radiographic changes at the apex are evident. The practitioner should:
A. Extract the tooth.
B. Resect the apical section of the root containing the broken instrument.
C. Perform an apicoectomy and place a reverse filling.
D. Complete the root canal filling to the level of the instrument and observe.
15. A new patient had root canal therapy performed seven months ago in another country. No historical
radiographs are available. The root canal filling appears to be satisfactory, the tooth is asymptomatic,
and there is no associated sinus tract. However, a small periapical radiolucency is evident. Which of the
following is indicated?
A. Incision and drainage
B. Nonsurgical retreatment
C. Re-evaluation in six months
D. Apicoectomy and apical amalgam
E. Prescription of an appropriate antibiotic
16. Which of the following describes the character of dentinal tubules at the pulpal end when compared to
those at the enamel end?
a. More per unit surface area and more wider in diameter.
b. Less per unit surface area but much wider in diameter.
c. More per unit surface area and smaller in diameter.
d. Less per unit surface area and smaller in diameter.
17. What would be the end result and prognosis of untreated internal resorption?
a. Perforation into external surface of root which would heal if left undisturbed.
b. Perforation into external surface of root with a marked low prognosis for any treatment.
c. No untoward incident would occur provided no future trauma is sustained.
d. Calcification of the root canal system with a guarded prognosis
18. There usually is no lesion apparent radiographically in acute apical periodontitis. However,
histologically bone destruction has been noted.
a. Both statements are true
b. Both statements are false.
c. First statement is true, second is false.
d. First statement is false, second is true.
19. Based solely on the sharp transient response of pulp to hot stimuli, what is the periradicular diagnosis?
a. Acute apical periodontitis
b. Cannot diagnose based on information provided.
c. Acute Apical abscess
d. Irreversible pulpitis.
20. What is the clinical hallmark of a chronic periradicular abscess?
a. Large periradicular lesion
b. Sinus tract drainage
c. Granulation tissue in the periapex.
d. Cyst formation.
21. A periradicular radiolucent lesion of endodontic origin on the radiograph may be any of these
histological diagnoses except one. Mark this exception.
a. A cyst
b. A granuloma
c. An Abscess
d. Dentigerous cyst
22. What complete endodontic diagnosis could be completely asymptomatic but should require endodontic
therapy.
a. Pulpal necrosis and acute periradicular periodontitis
b. Normal pulp and acute periradicular periodontitis.
c. Pulpal necrosis and chronic periradicular periodontitis.
d. Normal pulp and normal periapex
23. Vertical root fractures are also called cracked teeth. The prognosis of cracked teeth varies with extent
and depth of crack.
a. Both statements are true
b. Both statements are false.
c. First statement is true, second is false.
d. First statement is false, second is true.
24. A lesion of non-endodontic origin remains at the apex of the suspected tooth regardless of X-ray cone
angulations.
a. True
b. False
25. While viewing a working length radiograph of #5, you discover another root on the mesial shot (x-ray
cone mesial). The second root seems to be distal on the mesial shot. Which anatomic root is it?
a. Palatal
b. Distal
c. Buccal
d. Mesial
26. The X-ray beam usually displaces lingual roots in what direction on the radiograph?
a. Same direction as beam
b. Opposite direction of beam
c. Does not displace Buccal roots
d. Vertically.
27. The buccal object rule can be used for vertical angulations as well.
a. True
b. False
Endodontic case
Patient walks into your dental office for an emergency visit. He complains of a throbbing tooth ache since 5
days. He seems to point in the lower right quadrant
28. What do you do first?
a. Clinical examination
b. Take radiographs
c. Medical and dental history
d. Prescribe antibiotics and pain killers
29. On clinical and radiographic examination, you find that #31 is non-responsive to thermal and elcetric testing
and also not responsive to percussion or palpation. You observe a radiolucency around the distal root of #31
with extensive secondary decay under a class 2 amalgam. What do you do next?
a. Refer for endodontic therapy of #31
b. Access the tooth yourself for pulpectomy and CaOH dressing.
c. Prescribe antibiotics and pain killers.
d. Look for another site as the cause of the chief complaint.
30. On further investigation, the patient admits to clenching and grinding his teeth during sleep and even at
work when stressed. Further, the patient hurts worse in the mornings when he yawns and also explains that
touching certain areas of the jaw evokes greater pain. What do you do next?
a. Ignore the patients comments.
b. Test the areas which invoke the pain.
c. Anesthetize the patient
d. Start the root canal therapy.
31. The pain is evoked by palpating along the lateral border of the ramus of the mandible. What is most likely
cause of the patients pain and how would you confirm this?
a. Masseter muscle refering pain to the lower molars confirmed by palpation of the muscle.
b. Mylohyoid refering pain to the lower molars confirmed by local anesthesia.
c. Fracture of the ramus confirmed by digital palpation.
d. Psychological confirmed by prescription of anti-depressants.
32. How do you advise the patient?
a. Quit job
b. Try and curb the grinding and use a night guard
c. Regualr use of analgesics
d. Antibiotics for the acute symptoms
33. Does the patient still require endodontic treatment on #31?
a. Yes
b. No
1. To ensure better thermal and protective insulation of the pulp during a capping procedure, calcium
hydroxide should be:
A. Applied to a thickness of 3.0 mm.
B. Placed in all cavity preparations.
C. Covered with a stronger base.
D. Preceded by application of a cavity varnish.
E. Preceded by application of a zinc phosphate cement.
2. In shaping and cleansing the canal of a vital maxillary central incisor, a practitioner has inadvertently
perforated the apical foramen. This error can result in each of the following EXCEPT one. Which one is
this EXCEPTION?
A. Pain to the patient
B. Enlargement of the foramen
C. Trauma to the apical tissue
D. Necrotic tissue being forced into the apical tissues
3. A dentist restored an endodontically treated tooth with a case post-and-core and a metal ceramic
crown. Three months later, the patient calls and complains of pain, especially on biting. Tooth
mobility is normal, as are the radiographs. The most probable cause of pain is:
A. A loose crown.
B. Psychosomatic
C. A vertical root fracture.
D. A premature eccentric contact.
4. Calcium hydroxide is generally the material-of-choice in vital pulp capping because it:
A. Is less irritating to the pulp.
B. Encourages dentin bridge formation.
C. Seals the cavity better than most other materials.
5. The ideal bone graft should do each of the following EXCEPT one. Which one is this EXCEPTION?
A. Induce osteogenesis
B. Withstand mechanical forces
C. Produce an immunologic response
D. Become replaced by host bone.
6. During the preparation of a Class II cavity, which of the following permanent teeth pulp horns will be
the most subject to accidental exposure?
A. Distofacial of a maxillary first molar
B. Distofacial of a mandibular first molar
C. Facial of a mandibular first premolar
D. Lingual of a mandibular first premolar
7. A diagnostic test failed to identify five cases of true disease. This type of failure is known as a:
A. False negative.
B. False positive.
C. Positive predictive value.
D. Negative predictive value.
8. Which of the following is the most effective way to reduce injury to the pulp during a restorative
procedure?
A. Prepare dentin with slow-speed burs
B. Use anesthetics without vasoconstrictors
C. Minimize dehydration of the dentinal surface
D. Keep the dentinal surface clean by frequent irrigation
9. Aging of the pulp is evidenced by an increase in:
A. Vascularity.
B. Cellular elements.
C. Fibrous elements.
D. Pulp stones.
10. A patient is experiencing a throbbing pain in a specific tooth. This pain is aggravated by heat and
relieved by cold. The tooth is sensitive to percussion. The most likely diagnosis is:
A. Occlusal trauma.
B. Periodontal abscess.
C. Irreversible pulpitis.
D. Hyperemia of the pulp.
11. Which of the following is the most consistent finding in systemic infections?
A. Fever
B. Tachypnea
C. Lymphadenopathy
D. Abscess formation
E. Cellulitis formation
12. When providing endodontic treatment for a patient who has a history of rheumatic heart disease, the
dentist should especially avoid which of the following?
A. Underinstrumentation of a vital tooth
B. Overinstrumentation of a vital tooth
C. Underinstrumentation of a necrotic tooth
D. Overinstrumentation of a necrotic tooth
13. The day after receiving an inferior alveolar nerve block, a patient experiences limited ability to open his
mouth. Which of the following structures was most probably injured?
A. The medial pterygoid muscle
B. The stylomandibular ligament
C. The deep fibers of the masseter muscle
D. The posterior belly of the digastric muscle
E. The inferior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle
14. An endodontic instrument separated in the apical third of a root canal. The fragment is 3 mm long and is
tightly lodged. No radiographic changes at the apex are evident. The practitioner should:
A. Extract the tooth.
B. Resect the apical section of the root containing the broken instrument.
C. Perform an apicoectomy and place a reverse filling.
D. Complete the root canal filling to the level of the instrument and observe.
15. A new patient had root canal therapy performed seven months ago in another country. No historical
radiographs are available. The root canal filling appears to be satisfactory, the tooth is asymptomatic,
and there is no associated sinus tract. However, a small periapical radiolucency is evident. Which of the
following is indicated?
A. Incision and drainage
B. Nonsurgical retreatment
C. Re-evaluation in six months
D. Apicoectomy and apical amalgam
E. Prescription of an appropriate antibiotic
16. Which of the following describes the character of dentinal tubules at the pulpal end when compared to
those at the enamel end?
a. More per unit surface area and more wider in diameter.
b. Less per unit surface area but much wider in diameter.
c. More per unit surface area and smaller in diameter.
d. Less per unit surface area and smaller in diameter.
17. What would be the end result and prognosis of untreated internal resorption?
a. Perforation into external surface of root which would heal if left undisturbed.
b. Perforation into external surface of root with a marked low prognosis for any treatment.
c. No untoward incident would occur provided no future trauma is sustained.
d. Calcification of the root canal system with a guarded prognosis
18. There usually is no lesion apparent radiographically in acute apical periodontitis. However,
histologically bone destruction has been noted.
a. Both statements are true
b. Both statements are false.
c. First statement is true, second is false.
d. First statement is false, second is true.
19. Based solely on the sharp transient response of pulp to hot stimuli, what is the periradicular diagnosis?
a. Acute apical periodontitis
b. Cannot diagnose based on information provided.
c. Acute Apical abscess
d. Irreversible pulpitis.
20. What is the clinical hallmark of a chronic periradicular abscess?
a. Large periradicular lesion
b. Sinus tract drainage
c. Granulation tissue in the periapex.
d. Cyst formation.
21. A periradicular radiolucent lesion of endodontic origin on the radiograph may be any of these
histological diagnoses except one. Mark this exception.
a. A cyst
b. A granuloma
c. An Abscess
d. Dentigerous cyst
22. What complete endodontic diagnosis could be completely asymptomatic but should require endodontic
therapy.
a. Pulpal necrosis and acute periradicular periodontitis
b. Normal pulp and acute periradicular periodontitis.
c. Pulpal necrosis and chronic periradicular periodontitis.
d. Normal pulp and normal periapex
23. Vertical root fractures are also called cracked teeth. The prognosis of cracked teeth varies with extent
and depth of crack.
a. Both statements are true
b. Both statements are false.
c. First statement is true, second is false.
d. First statement is false, second is true.
24. A lesion of non-endodontic origin remains at the apex of the suspected tooth regardless of X-ray cone
angulations.
a. True
b. False
25. While viewing a working length radiograph of #5, you discover another root on the mesial shot (x-ray
cone mesial). The second root seems to be distal on the mesial shot. Which anatomic root is it?
a. Palatal
b. Distal
c. Buccal
d. Mesial
26. The X-ray beam usually displaces lingual roots in what direction on the radiograph?
a. Same direction as beam
b. Opposite direction of beam
c. Does not displace Buccal roots
d. Vertically.
27. The buccal object rule can be used for vertical angulations as well.
a. True
b. False
Endodontic case
Patient walks into your dental office for an emergency visit. He complains of a throbbing tooth ache since 5
days. He seems to point in the lower right quadrant
28. What do you do first?
a. Clinical examination
b. Take radiographs
c. Medical and dental history
d. Prescribe antibiotics and pain killers
29. On clinical and radiographic examination, you find that #31 is non-responsive to thermal and elcetric testing
and also not responsive to percussion or palpation. You observe a radiolucency around the distal root of #31
with extensive secondary decay under a class 2 amalgam. What do you do next?
a. Refer for endodontic therapy of #31
b. Access the tooth yourself for pulpectomy and CaOH dressing.
c. Prescribe antibiotics and pain killers.
d. Look for another site as the cause of the chief complaint.
30. On further investigation, the patient admits to clenching and grinding his teeth during sleep and even at
work when stressed. Further, the patient hurts worse in the mornings when he yawns and also explains that
touching certain areas of the jaw evokes greater pain. What do you do next?
a. Ignore the patients comments.
b. Test the areas which invoke the pain.
c. Anesthetize the patient
d. Start the root canal therapy.
31. The pain is evoked by palpating along the lateral border of the ramus of the mandible. What is most likely
cause of the patients pain and how would you confirm this?
a. Masseter muscle refering pain to the lower molars confirmed by palpation of the muscle.
b. Mylohyoid refering pain to the lower molars confirmed by local anesthesia.
c. Fracture of the ramus confirmed by digital palpation.
d. Psychological confirmed by prescription of anti-depressants.
32. How do you advise the patient?
a. Quit job
b. Try and curb the grinding and use a night guard
c. Regualr use of analgesics
d. Antibiotics for the acute symptoms
33. Does the patient still require endodontic treatment on #31?
a. Yes
b. No