Dental Materials and Radiology
Semester 1 Study Guide
Multiple Choice:
1. The uses of dental radiographs include the detection of _____.
a. incipient occlusal carious lesions
b. periodontal probing depths
c. bone loss
d. sensitivity as part of endodontic evaluation
2. Exposure to radiation _____.
a. no matter how small, has the potential to cause harmful biologic changes
b. has a threshold, below which exposure is entirely safe
c. is safer when there is a single, large dose rather than a series of smaller doses
d. from a dental x-ray machine does not involve particulate radiation and is
completely safe
3. The x-ray was discovered on November 8, 1895, by _____.
a. John Greenwood
b. Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen
c. G. V. Black
d. Edmund Kells
4. The dentist who is credited with the first practical use of radiographs in dentistry in 1896 is
_____.
a. Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen
b. G. V. Black
c. C. Edmund Kells
d. John Greenwood
5. Anything that occupies space and has a form or shape is _____.
a. energy
b. solid
c. matter
d. a photon
6. Which of the following statements is true concerning the structure of the atom?
a. The nucleus contains protons and electrons.
b. Electrons have no weight or mass.
c. The orbital path of an electron around the nucleus is called an electron shell.
d. Electrons are unstable in their orbits and shift freely.
7. In dentistry, the _____ the wavelengths of the x-rays, the greater their energy and their
usefulness.
a. shorter
b. longer
c. more ionized
d. straighter
8. Which component of the x-ray machine functions in positioning the tube head?
a. kilovoltage selector
b. control panel
c. extension arm
d. cathode
9. The heart of the x-ray generating system is the _____.
a. x-ray tube
b. insulating oil
c. transformer
d. position indicator device
10. Secondary radiation _____.
a. is often referred to as the useful beam
b. is often referred to as the primary beam
c. refers to x-radiation that is created when the primary beam interacts with matter
d. is a form of radiation that occurs when an x-ray beam has been deflected from its
path by interaction with matter
11. Which of the following structures will appear radiopaque on dental x-ray film?
a. metal restorations
b. soft tissue
c. tooth decay
d. dental pulp
12. The term _____ is used to describe areas that appear dark on the radiograph; _____ is the
term used to describe areas that appear white or light gray.
a. radiopaque; radiolucent
b. radiolucent; radiopaque
c. density; contrast
d. contrast; density
13. The range of shades of gray between black and white on a radiograph is called _____.
a. contrast
b. density
c. sharpness
d. focus point
14. The degree of density or blackness on a radiograph is controlled by _____.
a. the film speed
b. the kilovoltage
c. the milliampere-seconds
d. the position indicating device
15. One of the rules of radiation protection is to never stand closer than _____ feet from the
x-ray unit during an exposure unless you are behind a barrier.
a. 2
b. 6
c. 10
d. 15
16. Damage caused by ionizing x-ray radiation to genetic cells _____.
a. affects only the person being x-rayed
b. can affect future generations
c. affects only the dental assistant
d. affects the cells of the eye, skin, and oral mucosa.
17. Which of the following tissues has the highest radiation sensitivity?
a. small lymphocytes
b. salivary gland
c. kidney
d. muscle tissue
18. A lead apron and thyroid collar _____.
a. are utilized for a full mouth series of films but are not necessary for single
periapical films
b. must be used on all patients for all exposures
c. is required for pediatric patients but is optional for adults
d. is mandated only for pregnant women
19. Dentists recommend which of the following dental radiographic procedures for a pregnant
patient?
a. Do not take radiographs on a pregnant patient unless it is an emergency.
b. Radiographic procedures do not need to be altered because of pregnancy.
c. Take x-rays only during the last trimester.
20. The bite-wing radiograph is used for _____.
a. detecting abscessed teeth
b. detecting periodontal disease
c. detecting interproximal decay
d. both b and c
21. A periapical radiograph shows the tooth from the occlusal surface or incisal edge to the _____.
a. top of alveolar bone
b. furcation
c. apex of the root
d. bone about 2 to 3 mm beyond the apex
22. An intraoral full-mouth set of x-rays (FMX) on an adult consists of _____.
a. 18 to 20 films
b. 4 films
c. 10 periapicals and 2 bite-wings
d. 4 anterior films and 8 posterior films
23. The bite-wing film shows _____.
a. the crowns and interproximal areas of the maxillary and mandibular teeth
b. the whole tooth crown to apex and surrounding bone
c. the top of the bone
d. both a and c
24. A total of _____ bite-wing films are taken on an adult patient.
a. two
b. four
c. six
d. eight
25. Radiographs on an edentulous patient might be required for _____.
a. forensic identification purposes
b. identifying objects embedded in the bone
c. detecting retained root tips, impacted teeth, and lesions
d. both b and c
26. A radiographic mount should always be labeled with _____.
a. the patient’s name
b. the operator’s name
c. the patient’s name and the date the films were exposed
d. the patient’s name and the date the films were processed
27. The American Dental Association recommends that films be mounted _____.
a. with the dot facing toward the person viewing
b. with the dot facing away from the person viewing
c. as if the viewer is standing on the patient’s tongue
d. so the patient’s left side is on the viewer’s left side
28. A(n) _____ is defined as a mixture of two or more metals.
a. alloy
b. amalgam
c. ceramic
d. porcelain
29. A liquid with high viscosity _____ flow easily and _____ in wetting a surface.
a. does; is effective
b. does; is not effective
c. does not; is effective
d. does not; is not effective
30. Dental restorative materials that are applied, while pliable, to a tooth or teeth and can be adapted,
carved, and finished are classified as _____.
a. indirect restorations
b. direct restorations
c. crowns and bridges
d. implants
31. The silver filling material used for over 150 years to restore primary and permanent teeth is
called _____.
a. amalgam
b. composite
c. glass ionomer
d. acrylic resin
32. _____ is added to dental amalgam alloy powder to suppress oxidation.
a. Silver
b. Tin
c. Copper
d. Zinc
33. The conventional or traditional composites, which contain the largest filler particles and provide
the greatest strength, are known as _____.
a. microfilled composites
b. midfilled composites
c. hybrid composites
d. macrofilled composites
34. _____ is the process by which the resin material is changed from a pliable state into a hardened
restoration.
a. Trituration
b. Retention
c. Polymerization
d. Galvanism
35. Glass ionomer can be used for Class _____ restorations.
a. II
b. III
c. IV
d. V
36. Which of the following are advantages to using glass ionomer as a restorative material?
a. Glass ionomer has the ability to bind to teeth mechanically, rather than chemically.
b. Glass ionomer releases fluoride after its final setting.
c. Loss of gloss indicates a proper mix of glass ionomer material.
d. There is no need to avoid contact with water during the mixing procedure for glass
ionomer.
37. If a tooth has _____, an intermediate restorative material should be selected.
a. lost a restoration
b. a missing cusp
c. been prepared for a cast restoration
d. been prepared for a porcelain veneer
38. Intermediate restorative material (IRM) is a _____.
a. zinc polycarboxylate cement
b. composite resin
c. zinc oxide-eugenol cement
d. ceramic
39. In most states, an expanded-functions dental assistant may perform which of the following
functions?
a. placing IRM
b. using a high-speed handpiece for cavity preparation
c. applying a provisional restoration
d. both a and c
40. One of the fastest and most cost-effective ways of restoring the esthetic appearance of teeth is
_____.
a. bleaching
b. porcelain veneers
c. composite veneers
d. ceramic crowns
41. The dental restorations created in the laboratory by the dental laboratory technician are classified
as _____.
a. direct restorations
b. indirect restorations
c. provisional restorations
d. amalgams
42. _____ is a metal used for full crowns in dentistry.
a. Gold
b. Iron
c. Tin
d. Zinc
43. The type of ceramic most often used in dentistry for castings is _____.
a. composite resin
b. glass ionomer
c. zinc oxide-eugenol cement
d. porcelain
44. Nearly _____% of all cavities occur in the pits and fissures of posterior teeth.
a. 24
b. 44
c. 74
d. 84
45. Sealants are indicated for _____.
a. children but not adults
b. posterior but not anterior teeth
c. the smooth surfaces of teeth but not pits and fissures
d. some maxillary central and lateral incisors
46. Contraindications to sealant placement include proximal decay, because _____.
a. proximal decay will spread to the occlusal surface
b. posterior proximal tooth preparation will usually include the occlusal pits and
fissures
c. sealants are placed on smooth surfaces and the proximal area is a smooth surface
d. sealants are placed on smooth surfaces and the proximal area is a rough surface
47. Light-cured sealant materials _____.
a. require mixing
b. are supplied as a two-part system
c. are superior in bond strength and rates of retention to self-cured sealants
d. are polymerized by chemicals in the sealant reacting to the light
48. The most common cause of sealant loss is _____.
a. use of unfilled material
b. use of outdated material
c. moisture contamination during placement
d. bruxism
49. The first step in placing dental sealants is to _____ the surface.
a. etch
b. isolate
c. clean
d. prime
50. A sealant that is polymerized by chemical reactions is called _____.
a. acrylate
b. filled resin
c. self-cured
d. unfilled resin
51. Self-cured sealant materials are supplied as a two-part system that includes _____.
a. a base
b. a catalyst
c. filled resins
d. both a and b
52. The retention of the sealant is obtained by etching the enamel with _____, to roughen it and open
the pores in enamel for penetration of the resin sealant.
a. citric acid
b. phosphoric acid
c. eugenol
d. pumice
53. The primary reason why very few children are protected by dental sealants is _____.
a. they are not recommended by the American Dental Association
b. they have not been shown to significantly reduce decay
c. lack of public awareness
d. they are not effective for prevention of pit and fissure decay in posterior teeth
54. Tylenol is a _____ name for acetaminophen.
a. chemical
b. O.S.H.A.
c. brand or trade
d. U.S. Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
55. Patent medicines are also known as _____.
a. over-the-counter drugs
b. prescription drugs
c. ethical drugs
d. generic drugs
56. _____ can be obtained only from a pharmacist who has been provided with a prescription from a
physician or dentist.
a. Patent medicines
b. Over-the-counter drugs
c. Prescription drugs
d. All drugs
57. The part of the prescription that includes the name and quantity of drugs is the _____.
a. superscription
b. subscription
c. inscription
d. signature
58. The dental assistant should _____ when a pharmacy calls the dental office regarding a
prescription.
a. authorize prescriptions for narcotics for extreme pain over the phone, if necessary,
b. notify the dentist immediately.
c. relay information between the pharmacist and dentist and not interrupt either of
them
d. tell the pharmacist to call back again later if the dentist is busy with a patient
59. A professional who is authorized to prescribe medications must have _____.
a. a federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) identification number
b. a prescription pad
c. a medical or dental office
d. both a and b
60. Prophylactic antibiotics are used in dentistry to _____.
a. prevent infective endocarditis
b. treat fungal infections
c. treat herpes infections
d. relieve anxiety
61. When a patient has taken a drug over time and the drug has lost its effectiveness, the patient has
developed _____.
a. a drug tolerance
b. a drug interaction
c. a drug addiction
d. an allergic reaction
62. The prescription abbreviation b.i.d. stands for _____ day.
a. every
b. twice a
c. three times a
d. four times a
True and False: Choose letter “a” for true and letter “b” for false.
63. Amalgam is a better choice than composite resin for fillings in between teeth
because it is less likely to leak around the margins.
64. Amalgam fillings are usually more expensive than composite resin fillings.
65. Tooth whitening gels will bleach composite resin fillings just like they bleach
enamel.
66. Tensile stress pulls and stretches a material.
67. Temperature changes cannot cause expansion or contraction of filling
materials, just teeth.
68. A galvanic response involves two dissimilar metals and can cause an electric
current in the mouth.
69. Composite resin is a stronger material to chewing forces than amalgam.
70. When cost is an overriding factor, composite resin should be used instead of
amalgam.
71. The largest percentage of amalgam powder is made of silver.
72. If a primary tooth will be exfoliating (falling out) fairly soon, glass ionomer
would be a better choice than composite resin for a filling.
73. Tooth whitening gels come in concentrations of 10%, 16%, and 22%.
74. Gold crowns are better conductors of cold and hot than porcelain crowns.
Match the correct chemical name to the given trade name. Choices may be used
more than once or not at all.
75. Nuprin
a. acetaminophen
76. Tylenol
b. naproxen sodium
77. Alleve
c. ibuprofen
78. Motrin
d. acetylsalycilic acid
79. Advil
e. hydrocodone
Match the correct category to the given chemical name. Choices may be used
more than once or not at all. Some may have more than one answer.
80. acetaminophen
a. cough suppressant (antitussive)
81. chlorpheneramine maleate
b. decongestant
82. hydrocodone
c. antipyretic (antipruritic)
83. dextromethorphan
d. analgesic
84. ibuprofen
e. antihistamine
Match the given trade name to the proper category. Choices may be used more
than once or not at all. Some may have more than one answer.
85. Tylenol #3
a. NSAID
86. Alleve
b. cough suppressant (antitussive)
87. Benadryl
c. decongestant
88. Sudafed
d. antihistamine
89. Robitussin
e. narcotic
Match the chemical name to the symptoms it would be used to treat.
90. acetaminophen
a. itchy, runny nose, sneezing
91. pseudoephedrine
b. stuffy nose, hard to breathe
92. diphenhydramine
c. headache
93. dextromethorphan
d. heartburn
94. calcium carbonate
e. coughing
Match the abbreviation to the correct meaning.
95. tid
a. three times a day
96. prn
b. at bedtime
97. hs
c. as needed for
Match the part of the prescription to its description.
98. superscription
a. name and quantity of the drug
99. inscription
b. patient name, address, date
100. signature
c. instructions on how to take the drug
Essay : On a separate sheet of paper, complete the following essay.
You are a dental assistant and your patient wants information on dental
materials to make a good choice of treatment options. Explain the disadvantages
and advantages of the following dental materials to your patient. Use complete
sentences at all times or your answer will be considered incorrect.
Gold crowns
All porcelain crowns
Porcelain fused to metal crowns
Non-precious metal crowns
Composite fillings
Amalgam fillings
Glass ionomer fillings
Bridges vs. Implants and Crowns