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Dental Anatomy and Oral Pathology

Dentition and Development Practice Questions

20 free Dentition and Development practice questions for the CDA. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.

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Question 1 of 20 Medium

How many primary teeth are present in the complete primary dentition?

  1. A 16
  2. B 20
  3. C 24
  4. D 28

Correct answer: 20

The primary dentition contains a total of 20 teeth. These include incisors, canines, and molars but no premolars.

Question 2 of 20 Medium

Which primary tooth is usually the first to erupt?

  1. A Maxillary central incisor
  2. B Mandibular lateral incisor
  3. C Mandibular central incisor
  4. D Maxillary first molar

Correct answer: Mandibular central incisor

The mandibular central incisors typically erupt first around 6–10 months. They mark the beginning of the primary eruption sequence.

Question 3 of 20 Medium

At approximately what age does the first permanent molar typically erupt?

  1. A 3 years
  2. B 6 years
  3. C 9 years
  4. D 12 years

Correct answer: 6 years

The permanent first molar, also called the “6-year molar,” erupts around age 6. It erupts posterior to the primary second molars.

Question 4 of 20 Medium

Which tooth has the longest root in the permanent dentition?

  1. A Maxillary central incisor
  2. B Mandibular canine
  3. C Maxillary canine
  4. D Maxillary second premolar

Correct answer: Maxillary canine

The maxillary canine has the longest root of all permanent teeth. This contributes to its stability and importance in esthetics and function.

Question 5 of 20 Medium

Which permanent tooth is most likely to be congenitally missing?

  1. A Maxillary central incisor
  2. B Mandibular canine
  3. C Maxillary lateral incisor
  4. D Maxillary first molar

Correct answer: Maxillary lateral incisor

Maxillary lateral incisors are among the teeth most commonly missing congenitally. Mandibular second premolars also frequently fail to develop.

Question 6 of 20 Medium

Which primary teeth are replaced by permanent premolars?

  1. A Primary canines
  2. B Primary incisors
  3. C Primary molars
  4. D Primary second molars only

Correct answer: Primary molars

Permanent premolars replace primary molars. This is a key difference between primary and permanent dentitions.

Question 7 of 20 Medium

What term describes the natural spacing found between primary teeth?

  1. A Physiologic spacing
  2. B Diastema
  3. C Occlusal spacing
  4. D Open bite

Correct answer: Physiologic spacing

Physiologic spacing helps accommodate larger permanent teeth later. These spaces are normal and not considered malocclusion.

Question 8 of 20 Medium

Which stage of tooth development involves the formation of enamel and dentin matrices?

  1. A Bud stage
  2. B Cap stage
  3. C Bell stage
  4. D Initiation stage

Correct answer: Bell stage

During the bell stage, cells differentiate into ameloblasts and odontoblasts. These cells lay down enamel and dentin, respectively.

Question 9 of 20 Medium

Which cells are responsible for enamel formation?

  1. A Ameloblasts
  2. B Odontoblasts
  3. C Cementoblasts
  4. D Osteoclasts

Correct answer: Ameloblasts

Ameloblasts secrete enamel matrix, which later mineralizes. They operate only during tooth development.

Question 10 of 20 Medium

Which cells form dentin?

  1. A Ameloblasts
  2. B Odontoblasts
  3. C Fibroblasts
  4. D Cementocytes

Correct answer: Odontoblasts

Odontoblasts create dentin and remain active throughout life. They line the outer surface of the pulp chamber.

Question 11 of 20 Medium

Which permanent tooth is most prone to decay due to its deep pits and fissures?

  1. A Mandibular first molar
  2. B Maxillary central incisor
  3. C Mandibular canine
  4. D Maxillary lateral incisor

Correct answer: Mandibular first molar

The mandibular first molar erupts early and has deep occlusal grooves, making it highly susceptible to caries. Sealants can help prevent decay.

Question 12 of 20 Medium

Which teeth typically exfoliate first in the primary dentition?

  1. A Primary molars
  2. B Primary central incisors
  3. C Primary canines
  4. D Primary lateral incisors

Correct answer: Primary central incisors

Primary central incisors usually exfoliate first around 6–7 years. This coincides with the eruption of permanent incisors.

Question 13 of 20 Medium

Which landmark marks the beginning of mixed dentition?

  1. A Eruption of permanent incisors
  2. B Eruption of primary second molars
  3. C Eruption of permanent first molars
  4. D Exfoliation of primary canines

Correct answer: Eruption of permanent first molars

Mixed dentition begins with the eruption of the permanent first molars around age 6. This occurs before any primary teeth are lost.

Question 14 of 20 Medium

How many roots does a maxillary first permanent molar typically have?

  1. A One
  2. B Two
  3. C Three
  4. D Four

Correct answer: Three

Maxillary first molars typically have three roots: mesiobuccal, distobuccal, and palatal. This is a key anatomical feature.

Question 15 of 20 Medium

Which permanent teeth normally erupt at age 12–13?

  1. A Second molars
  2. B First premolars
  3. C Second premolars
  4. D Lateral incisors

Correct answer: Second molars

The permanent second molars, also known as “12-year molars,” erupt around age 12–13. They complete the molar set in each quadrant.

Question 16 of 20 Medium

Which primary tooth resembles a permanent premolar in shape?

  1. A Primary canine
  2. B Primary first molar
  3. C Primary second molar
  4. D Primary mandibular first molar

Correct answer: Primary first molar

Primary first molars often resemble premolars in crown shape. This difference helps differentiate them from permanent molars.

Question 17 of 20 Medium

Which structure allows developing permanent teeth to erupt by resorbing primary tooth roots?

  1. A Cementoblasts
  2. B Osteoclasts
  3. C Odontoclasts
  4. D Fibroblasts

Correct answer: Odontoclasts

Odontoclasts resorb the roots of primary teeth during exfoliation. This process allows permanent teeth to erupt properly.

Question 18 of 20 Medium

Which tooth is most often affected by early childhood caries?

  1. A Mandibular first molars
  2. B Maxillary central incisors
  3. C Mandibular canines
  4. D Mandibular lateral incisors

Correct answer: Maxillary central incisors

Maxillary incisors are highly susceptible due to prolonged exposure to sugary liquids during bottle-feeding. This pattern indicates early childhood caries.

Question 19 of 20 Medium

Which permanent teeth usually erupt without replacing any primary teeth?

  1. A Canines
  2. B Molars
  3. C Premolars
  4. D Lateral incisors

Correct answer: Molars

Permanent molars erupt posterior to primary molars and do not replace any teeth. They are considered nonsuccedaneous teeth.

Question 20 of 20 Medium

What is the correct sequence for the eruption of permanent mandibular incisors?

  1. A Lateral → central
  2. B Central → lateral
  3. C Canine → central
  4. D Central → canine → lateral

Correct answer: Central → lateral

The permanent mandibular central incisors erupt first, followed by the lateral incisors. This pattern generally occurs between ages 6–9.

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