Exercises in Oral Pathology - Sample questions
Hey peeps!
I am working towards doing some content updates for HackDentistry this year.
An interesting project I have in mind, is something called “Exercises in Oral Pathology”, where I would like to create content in the form of Flashcards(while not exactly Flashcards, I could create something close to it on the platform), make a Workbook of sorts and create clinical and Viva-Voce questions helping students complement the existing notes and videos on the website. I am trying to make this different from the existing practice questions on the website, in that, this would also have analytical questions with detailed answers. Its a tough project to crack given my work schedule, but I would hopefully create as many questions as possible.
Here are 2 sample questions from the exercises I am creating as part of the project.
Question 1
At least 75% of AOT cases manifest as a well circumscribed peri-coronal radiolucency surrounding the crown of an unerupted tooth, most often a canine. Now, this is in close resemblance to radiograph features of a dentigerous cyst. If this be the case, what else would you look for, that could radiographically differentiate such cases from dentigerous cysts?
Answer
Most AOTs appear as a pericoronal radiolucency around the crown of an unerupted tooth. This is called the follicular type of AOT.
The follicular type AOT may mimic a dentigerous cyst in radiographs and is most times very difficult to distinguish from the same.
However, this radiolucency in AOT may at times extends a little bit further onto the root of the unerupted tooth. This is unlike dentigerous cyst where the radiolucency extends only up to the CEJ.
Also, AOT may have radiopaque flecks of calcified tissue, which dentigerous cyst may not manifest.
Question 2
What could be the radiolucency associated with this lower third molar in this radiograph?
Answer
While its tempting to consider an odontogenic cyst, especially a dentigerous cyst, the radiolucency in the radiograph looks small. The diameter of the radiolucency surrounding the crown has to be greater than 3-4 mm for consideration of a diagnosis of any odontogenic cyst (dentigerous cyst).
This space looks like an enlarged follicular space.