Diseases of the Oral Cavity and Salivary Glands Practice Questions

Q: A 23-year-old female patient complains of decreased mouth opening for the past 4 days. What is the most likely cause?

Impacted third molar. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **Impacted third molar**. The key to solving this clinical scenario lies in the **acute onset** (4 days) of the symptoms. 1. **Why Impacted Third Molar is correct:** An impacted third molar (wisdom tooth) often leads to **Pericoronitis**—inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the crown of a partially erupted tooth. This inflammation frequently spreads to the masseter muscle or the pterygomandibular space, causing **protective muscle spasm (Trismus)**. In a young adult (20–25 years), acute trismus is most commonly odontogenic in origin. 2. **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Oral Submucous Fibrosis (OSMF):** While a very common cause of restricted mouth opening in India (due to betel nut chewing), it is a **chronic, progressive** condition. It does not develop over 4 days. * **Oropharyngeal Fibrosis:** This is typically a sequela of severe trauma, chemical burns, or radiotherapy. It is a chronic scarring process, not an acute presentation. * **Bony Ankylosis of the TMJ:** This results in permanent, severe restriction of jaw movement. It usually follows trauma or infection (like septic arthritis) and develops over **months to years**, not days. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Trismus vs. Ankylosis:** Trismus is a functional/spasmodic restriction (often reversible), whereas ankylosis is a structural/mechanical restriction. * **Most common cause of Trismus:** Impacted third molar/Pericoronitis. * **Quinsy (Peritonsillar Abscess):** Another high-yield cause of acute trismus due to irritation of the internal pterygoid muscle. * **OSMF Hallmark:** Presence of palpable vertical fibrous bands in the buccal mucosa and blanched appearance.

Q: What is the investigation of choice for submandibular sialolithiasis?

X-ray. **Explanation:** **1. Why X-ray is the Correct Answer:** For submandibular sialolithiasis, the **Investigation of Choice (IOC)** is a plain X-ray. This is because approximately **80-90% of submandibular stones are radiopaque** due to their high calcium and phosphate content. The specific view used is the **Intraoral Periapical (IOPA) view** or the **Mandibular Occlusal view**, which effectively visualizes stones within the Wharton’s duct or the gland itself. **2. Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Sialography (A):** Historically used to visualize the ductal system using contrast. However, it is **contraindicated in acute infection** and can push the stone further back into the gland. It is rarely used now for diagnosis. * **CT Scan (B):** While highly sensitive for detecting small or multiple stones, it is expensive and involves radiation. It is usually reserved for complex cases or when X-rays are negative but clinical suspicion remains high. * **USG (C):** A non-invasive first-line screening tool that is excellent for detecting radiolucent stones, but X-ray remains the standard initial investigation of choice for the submandibular gland. **3. Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Submandibular vs. Parotid:** 80% of submandibular stones are radiopaque, whereas 80% of parotid stones are **radiolucent** (making USG or CT better for parotid stones). * **Wharton’s Duct:** The most common site for sialolithiasis due to the alkaline nature of saliva, high calcium content, and the upward (antigravity) course of the duct. * **Clinical Presentation:** "Mealtime syndrome"—recurrent painful swelling of the gland triggered by the sight or smell of food. * **Gold Standard:** Non-contrast CT (NCCT) is the most sensitive imaging modality, but for exam purposes, X-ray is the established IOC for submandibular stones.

Q: Which type of caries is associated with pre-eruptive enamel hypoplasia?

Occult caries. **Explanation:** **Occult caries** (also known as "hidden caries") refers to carious lesions that are not clinically visible on the enamel surface during a routine visual examination but are detected radiographically in the underlying dentin. The association with **pre-eruptive enamel hypoplasia** is a key diagnostic feature. In this condition, a developmental defect or hypoplastic pit exists on the enamel surface before the tooth even erupts. Once the tooth enters the oral cavity, bacteria penetrate this microscopic defect. While the surface enamel appears relatively intact or minimally affected, the decay spreads rapidly and extensively within the softer dentin underneath. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Secondary caries:** Also called recurrent caries, these occur at the margins of an existing restoration (filling) due to microleakage. * **Chronic caries:** These are slow-progressing lesions, often characterized by a large, open cavity with hard, leathery, and darkly pigmented dentin. * **Incipient caries:** This is the earliest stage of enamel decay (white spot lesion) that has not yet penetrated the dentino-enamel junction (DEJ) and can often be remineralized. **High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** * **Diagnosis:** Occult caries are best diagnosed using **Bitewing radiographs**. * **Clinical Presentation:** A "fluoride syndrome" is sometimes associated with this, where fluoride makes the surface enamel very hard and resistant, masking the extensive destruction occurring in the dentin below. * **Pre-eruptive Intracoronal Resorption (PIR):** Often confused with occult caries, PIR is a radiolucent lesion found in the dentin of unerupted teeth, whereas occult caries occur only after the tooth is exposed to the oral environment.

Q: Pain due to acute irreversible pulpitis is:

Spontaneous. **Explanation:** **Acute Irreversible Pulpitis** is a clinical condition where the dental pulp is damaged beyond repair due to inflammation, typically resulting from deep caries or trauma. **1. Why "Spontaneous" is correct:** The hallmark of irreversible pulpitis is **spontaneous pain**. Unlike reversible pulpitis, where pain requires an external stimulus (like cold or sweets), the pain in the irreversible stage occurs without any provocation. This is due to increased intrapulpal pressure and the release of inflammatory mediators that lower the threshold of nociceptors, causing them to fire even in the absence of external triggers. **2. Why other options are incorrect:** * **Sharp-shock like:** This is characteristic of **Trigeminal Neuralgia**. The pain in pulpitis is typically described as dull, throbbing, or aching, though it can be severe. * **Lasting for short duration:** This describes **Reversible Pulpitis**. In reversible cases, pain subsides immediately (within seconds) after the stimulus is removed. In irreversible pulpitis, the pain lingers for minutes to hours. * **Continuous:** While the pain can be prolonged, it is classically described as **intermittent or spontaneous episodes** rather than a constant, never-ending state. Continuous pain is more often associated with periapical abscesses or advanced necrosis. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Night Pain:** A classic symptom of irreversible pulpitis is pain that worsens when the patient lies down (due to increased cephalic blood pressure). * **Referred Pain:** Pain is often poorly localized and may be referred to the ear (if mandibular molars are involved) or the temple. * **Treatment:** The only definitive treatments are **Root Canal Treatment (RCT)** or extraction. * **Progression:** If left untreated, irreversible pulpitis leads to **pulpal necrosis**, at which point the tooth may become asymptomatic until a periapical infection develops.

Q: Reparative granuloma of the jaw is treated by which of the following methods?

Curettage. **Explanation:** **Central Giant Cell Reparative Granuloma (CGCG)** of the jaw is a non-neoplastic, intraosseous lesion characterized by the proliferation of fibroblasts and multinucleated giant cells. It is most commonly seen in the mandible of children and young adults. **Why Curettage is the Correct Answer:** The standard of care for CGCG is **surgical curettage** or thorough local excision. Since the lesion is benign and well-demarcated from the surrounding bone, removing the soft tissue mass and scraping the bony walls (curettage) is usually sufficient to ensure healing. While it has a recurrence rate of roughly 10-20%, more aggressive primary surgery is generally avoided to preserve the jawline and developing teeth in young patients. **Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **A. Antibiotics:** CGCG is a reactive/proliferative lesion, not an infectious process. Antibiotics have no role in its resolution. * **B. Wedge Resection:** This is an unnecessarily aggressive approach for a benign, non-infiltrative lesion. It is typically reserved for small malignant tumors. * **C. Resection and Bone Grafting:** This radical approach is only indicated for "aggressive" variants of CGCG that show rapid growth, cortical perforation, or high recurrence after curettage. It is not the primary treatment of choice. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Location:** More common in the **mandible** than the maxilla; frequently crosses the midline. * **Radiology:** Appears as a **multilocular radiolucency** (soap-bubble appearance), similar to ameloblastoma or keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT). * **Differential Diagnosis:** Histologically indistinguishable from a **Brown Tumor** of hyperparathyroidism. Always check serum calcium and PTH levels if a giant cell lesion is found. * **Medical Management:** In recurrent or aggressive cases, intralesional corticosteroids, Calcitonin, or Interferon-alpha may be used.

Q: Which of the following tumors arises from the mesenchymal portion of the tooth germ, specifically from the dental papilla, follicle, or periodontal ligament?

Odontogenic myxoma. ### Explanation The classification of odontogenic tumors is based on which part of the tooth germ they originate from: the **ectoderm** (epithelium), the **mesoderm** (mesenchyme), or a combination of both. **1. Why Odontogenic Myxoma is correct:** Odontogenic myxoma is a benign but locally invasive neoplasm that arises exclusively from the **odontogenic ectomesenchyme**. Specifically, it originates from the **dental papilla, dental follicle, or periodontal ligament**. Histologically, it mimics the structure of the dental papilla, characterized by stellate and spindle-shaped cells in an abundant myxoid (mucoid) stroma. **2. Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Ameloblastoma (D):** This is the most common odontogenic tumor. It is purely **epithelial** in origin, arising from the dental lamina, enamel organ, or lining of odontogenic cysts. * **Pindborg Tumor (C):** Also known as Calcifying Epithelial Odontogenic Tumor (CEOT). As the name suggests, it is of **epithelial** origin. It is famous for "Leisegang rings" and "driven snow" appearance on X-ray. * **Adenomatoid Odontogenic Tumor (B):** This is also an **epithelial** tumor. It is often associated with an impacted maxillary canine and is known for its "snowflake" calcifications. **3. NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Radiology of Myxoma:** Classically presents as a **"soap bubble"** or **"honeycomb"** radiolucency. A unique feature is the presence of **"tennis racket"** or straight, thin bony trabeculae. * **Clinical Behavior:** Despite being benign, it is non-encapsulated and infiltrative, often requiring wide surgical excision to prevent recurrence. * **Age/Site:** Most common in the 2nd–3rd decades; the mandible is affected more frequently than the maxilla.

Q: Sialosis refers to:

Non-inflammatory parotid enlargement. **Explanation:** **Sialosis** (also known as Sialadenosis) is a specific clinical entity characterized by **painless, non-inflammatory, non-neoplastic, and recurrent bilateral swelling** of the salivary glands, most commonly involving the parotid glands. **Why Option C is Correct:** The underlying pathology of sialosis is not inflammation, but rather a **dystrophy of the glandular parenchyma**. It is associated with autonomic neuropathy leading to the accumulation of secretory granules within acinar cells, causing them to hypertrophy. This results in soft, diffuse enlargement without the typical signs of infection (fever, pain, or pus). **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Option A (Bilateral parotitis):** Parotitis implies an inflammatory or infectious process (e.g., Mumps). Sialosis is strictly non-inflammatory. * **Option B (Sjogren's syndrome):** This is an autoimmune condition characterized by lymphocytic infiltration and destruction of glands, leading to "Sicca symptoms" (dry eyes and mouth). While it causes bilateral swelling, the mechanism is inflammatory/autoimmune. * **Option D (Bilateral salivary duct ectasia):** This refers to the dilation of the ductal system, often seen in chronic obstructive sialadenitis, whereas sialosis involves acinar hypertrophy. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Associated Conditions:** Sialosis is frequently linked to systemic metabolic derangements, most notably **Diabetes Mellitus**, **Chronic Alcoholism**, and **Malnutrition** (e.g., Bulimia or Kwashiorkor). * **Diagnosis:** It is a diagnosis of exclusion. Sialography typically shows a "leafless tree" appearance due to the compression of small ducts by hypertrophied acini. * **Treatment:** Management is primarily focused on treating the underlying systemic cause.

Question 1

Dilation of the salivary duct secondary to epithelial atrophy as a result of repeated inflammatory or infectious process is termed as?

Accepted Answer

Sialodochitis

Answer

Sialadenitis

Answer

Sialolithiasis

Answer

Mucocele

Question 2

A 23-year-old female patient complains of decreased mouth opening for the past 4 days. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Impacted third molar

Answer

Oral submucous fibrosis

Answer

Oropharyngeal fibrosis

Answer

Bony ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint

Question 3

What is the investigation of choice for submandibular sialolithiasis?

Accepted Answer

X-ray

Answer

Sialography

Answer

CT scan

Answer

USG

Question 4

Which type of caries is associated with pre-eruptive enamel hypoplasia?

Accepted Answer

Occult caries

Answer

Secondary caries

Answer

Chronic caries

Answer

Incipient caries

Question 5

Pain due to acute irreversible pulpitis is:

Accepted Answer

Spontaneous

Answer

Sharp-shock like

Answer

Lasting for short duration

Answer

Continuous

Question 6

A patient presents with diffuse bilateral swelling below the chin region. Intraorally, the lower left molar is infected. What is the probable source of infection?

Accepted Answer

Submandibular space infection

Answer

Submaxillary space infection

Answer

Sublingual space infection

Answer

Submental space infection

Question 7

Reparative granuloma of the jaw is treated by which of the following methods?

Accepted Answer

Curettage

Answer

Antibiotics

Answer

Wedge resection

Answer

Resection and bone grafting

Question 8

A 30-year-old man presents with fever, malaise, halitosis, and oral lesions. Examination reveals lymphadenopathy and inflamed gingiva with ulcerations of the interdental papillae that bleed easily. What is he MOST likely suffering from?

Accepted Answer

Vincent's angina

Answer

Ludwig's angina

Answer

Oral thrush

Answer

Lemierre's disease

Question 9

Which of the following tumors arises from the mesenchymal portion of the tooth germ, specifically from the dental papilla, follicle, or periodontal ligament?

Accepted Answer

Odontogenic myxoma

Answer

Adenomotoid odontogenic tumor

Answer

Pindborg tumor

Answer

Ameloblastoma

Question 10

Sialosis refers to:

Accepted Answer

Non-inflammatory parotid enlargement

Answer

Bilateral parotitis

Answer

Sjogren's syndrome

Answer

Bilateral salivary duct ectasia

Diseases of the Oral Cavity and Salivary Glands — MCQs

Diseases of the Oral Cavity and Salivary Glands — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?