Dental and Oral Tissue Trauma Practice Questions
19 free Dental and Oral Tissue Trauma practice questions for the CDA. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
What is the most critical first aid step when a permanent tooth is completely knocked out (avulsed) in the dental office or an accident site?
- A Brush and thoroughly dry the tooth before re-implantation
- B Hold it by the crown and reinsert it into the socket at once
- C Store the tooth in ordinary tap water until the patient sees the dentist
- D Discard the tooth and plan for a removable denture instead
Correct answer: Hold it by the crown and reinsert it into the socket at once
The best chance to save an avulsed permanent tooth is to pick it up by the crown (not the root) and attempt to reinsert it into the socket immediately — this preserves periodontal ligament cells and improves prognosis.
If immediate re-implantation of an avulsed tooth is not possible, what is the recommended storage medium until reaching a dentist?
- A Tap water inside a sealed plastic bag
- B Cold milk, saline, or the patient's saliva
- C Dry tissue wrapped gently around the whole tooth
- D Gauze that has been soaked thoroughly in alcohol
Correct answer: Cold milk, saline, or the patient's saliva
If reimplantation isn’t possible, storing the tooth in cold milk, saline, or saliva (or a specialized tooth-preservation medium) helps keep the periodontal ligament cells viable until dental treatment.
Within what time frame should an avulsed permanent tooth ideally be replanted to maximize the chance of long-term survival?
- A Within 5–10 minutes
- B Within 30 minutes to 1 hour
- C Within 6 hours
- D Within 24 hours
Correct answer: Within 30 minutes to 1 hour
Replantation within 30 minutes to one hour offers the best chance for survival because the periodontal ligament cells remain viable; beyond this window, prognosis worsens significantly.
Which of the following actions should NOT be done when handling an avulsed tooth before re-implantation?
- A Rinse gently in milk or saline if dirty
- B Touch the root surface with fingers
- C Hold the tooth by its crown
- D Place the tooth in physiologic storage medium if not reimplanting
Correct answer: Touch the root surface with fingers
Touching the root can damage periodontal ligament cells essential for re-attachment and healing; the tooth should always be handled by the crown only.
What is the recommended immediate management for a tooth that is partially displaced (extruded) but still in the socket after trauma?
- A Leave it as is and schedule a routine dental visit later
- B Cold compress, soft diet, and urgent referral for repositioning
- C Apply heavy pressure to push it forcibly back into place right away
- D Extract the displaced tooth immediately at the scene
Correct answer: Cold compress, soft diet, and urgent referral for repositioning
Partially displaced (extruded) teeth require urgent dental assessment; while waiting, a cold compress can reduce swelling and a soft diet reduces stress on the injured tooth.
How should soft tissue injuries (lacerations of lips, cheeks, gingiva) in the oral cavity generally be managed initially after trauma?
- A Leave them untreated and let them heal on their own
- B Rinse with saline, apply gauze pressure, cold compress, refer
- C Clean with alcohol and then apply a topical antibiotic cream over it
- D Suture the wound immediately without any prior cleaning
Correct answer: Rinse with saline, apply gauze pressure, cold compress, refer
Initial management of oral soft tissue trauma involves gentle cleaning or saline rinse, pressure to control bleeding, cold compress for swelling, and professional evaluation to determine need for sutures or further treatment.
Which type of knocked-out tooth should NEVER be replanted under normal circumstances?
- A Permanent incisors
- B Permanent premolars
- C Deciduous (baby) primary teeth
- D All permanent molars
Correct answer: Deciduous (baby) primary teeth
Deciduous teeth should not be replanted because doing so can damage the developing permanent tooth beneath, and there’s poor prognosis for long-term survival.
After replantation of an avulsed permanent tooth, what is a standard post-operative recommendation for the patient to aid healing and reduce complications?
- A Resume normal chewing on the tooth immediately
- B Soft diet, gentle brushing, no contact sports, antiseptic rinse
- C Brush the whole area vigorously to keep dental plaque from building up
- D Ignore any follow-up appointments as long as there is no pain
Correct answer: Soft diet, gentle brushing, no contact sports, antiseptic rinse
Soft diet, gentle hygiene, avoidance of physical trauma and antiseptic rinses help preserve attachment and reduce risk of infection or resorption after replantation.
Why is reinsertion and stabilization (splinting) of an avulsed tooth followed by root canal therapy often recommended after replantation?
- A Because root canal work is always easier after trauma
- B It removes dead pulp and stabilizes the tooth against resorption
- C It whitens the discolored tooth right after the traumatic injury occurs
- D Because splinting by itself ensures long-term survival
Correct answer: It removes dead pulp and stabilizes the tooth against resorption
After replantation, devitalized pulp and risk of root resorption can cause long-term failure; root canal therapy combined with splinting stabilizes the tooth and prevents complications.
Which type of tooth injury is described as a tooth being driven partially into the alveolar bone (intrusion)?
- A Avulsion
- B Extrusion
- C Intrusion
- D Crown fracture
Correct answer: Intrusion
Intrusion refers to a traumatic displacement where the tooth is forced into the alveolar bone — it's a severe injury often requiring urgent dental management.
When managing a fractured tooth with a visible enamel-dentin-pulp exposure (complicated crown fracture), what immediate action should a dental assistant recommend to the patient before definitive care?
- A Rinse with alcohol and leave the loose fragment in place
- B Cover exposure with moist gauze, soft diet, urgent dental care
- C Discard the tooth fragment and simply resume eating food as usual
- D Attempt to cement the broken fragment back on at home
Correct answer: Cover exposure with moist gauze, soft diet, urgent dental care
Covering the exposed area protects the pulp and soft tissues temporarily; prompt dental care is needed to avoid infection or further damage in a complicated fracture. Clinical guidelines support urgent evaluation for pulp involvement.
Which of the following is TRUE regarding the success of replantation of an avulsed permanent tooth according to current evidence-based guidelines?
- A Success does not depend on extra-oral time or storage medium
- B Delay beyond 60 minutes gives prognosis equal to immediate replantation
- C Immediate replantation or proper storage improves prognosis
- D Replantation should be avoided in all cases
Correct answer: Immediate replantation or proper storage improves prognosis
Outcome after avulsion depends heavily on prompt and correct management — immediate replantation or suitable storage plus timely dental care increases survival rate; guidelines emphasize this.
If an avulsed tooth has been out of the mouth for more than 60 minutes and has been stored dry, what is the most likely prognosis even after replantation?
- A Excellent — same as immediate replantation
- B Good — with no treatment needed
- C Poor — high risk of root resorption, ankylosis or tooth loss
- D Guaranteed survival if splinted
Correct answer: Poor — high risk of root resorption, ankylosis or tooth loss
Extended dry time results in death of periodontal ligament cells; even with replantation, heavy risk of root resorption, ankylosis and eventual tooth loss remains.
Which patient should be given a tetanus booster when a tooth avulsion or oral injury occurs in conditions with soil contamination or uncertain tetanus status?
- A Only elderly patients
- B Only children under 12 years old
- C Any patient with oral wound exposed to possible contamination if tetanus status is uncertain
- D No patient — tetanus isn’t relevant to dental trauma
Correct answer: Any patient with oral wound exposed to possible contamination if tetanus status is uncertain
If the avulsed tooth or oral wound is contaminated with soil or foreign matter and the patient’s tetanus immunization is uncertain, a booster is recommended to prevent tetanus infection.
In trauma involving knocked-out permanent teeth that are to be replanted, what is the recommended procedure for the root surface before reimplantation if contamination has occurred?
- A Scrub it vigorously with a brush and some soap
- B Rinse gently in saline or milk without touching the root
- C Use alcohol to fully sterilize the exposed root surface first
- D Soak it in ordinary tap water for about ten minutes
Correct answer: Rinse gently in saline or milk without touching the root
Guidelines recommend gentle rinsing in saline or milk and avoiding scrubbing or drying the root to preserve viable periodontal ligament cells necessary for reattachment.
What should be done if multiple teeth are avulsed and some fragments cannot be matched to specific sockets at the accident site?
- A Discard all the fragments and simply wait for permanent replacements
- B Reinsert as many as possible randomly
- C Store fragments in a physiologic medium for reattachment
- D Clean fragments with antiseptic and wrap in dry gauze
Correct answer: Store fragments in a physiologic medium for reattachment
When multiple teeth are avulsed, collected fragments — even if not identified immediately — should be kept moist and brought to the dentist, who can determine correct placement via radiographs and match them properly.
Which of the following injuries requires more urgent care: a simple enamel fracture of a tooth, or a lateral luxation (displacement) of a tooth without complete avulsion?
- A Enamel fracture only
- B Lateral luxation (displacement)
- C Both require equally urgent care
- D Neither — both can wait for routine dental visit
Correct answer: Lateral luxation (displacement)
A displaced tooth (luxation), even without complete avulsion, risks damage to supporting structures and pulp; it requires urgent evaluation for repositioning or stabilization, whereas a simple enamel fracture can often wait.
What is the recommended action for a patient when they sustain a minor chip or crack (uncomplicated crown fracture) but the pulp is not exposed?
- A Ignore it, since it will heal on its own
- B Rinse, keep fragments, cold compress, see dentist promptly
- C Cover the chip with some dental wax and wait for several weeks
- D Extract the chipped tooth immediately at home
Correct answer: Rinse, keep fragments, cold compress, see dentist promptly
Minor crown fractures without pulp exposure should be cleaned, kept protected, and evaluated by a dentist soon to restore function and prevent further damage — ignoring can lead to complications.
Which long-term complication can occur after replantation of an avulsed tooth even when initial healing appears successful?
- A Immediate tooth whitening
- B Permanent immunity to dental trauma
- C Root resorption or ankylosis leading to eventual tooth loss or replacement needs
- D No further follow-up required
Correct answer: Root resorption or ankylosis leading to eventual tooth loss or replacement needs
Even with successful replantation, there remains a risk of root resorption, ankylosis, or pulp necrosis over time — long-term follow-up is necessary.