PA EFDA BOARD EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026
QUESTIONS WITH 100% VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS
"A cavity sealer is used to seal: - CORRECT ANSWER dentin tubules, like a liner"
"Reinforcers - CORRECT ANSWER Protects from force of instrumentation"
"Stimulator - CORRECT ANSWER Calcium hydroxide = forms secondary dentin"
"Insulator - CORRECT ANSWER Used as a base for luting agents"
"Band extension - CORRECT ANSWER The matrix band must extend 0.5-1.5mm to the height
of the tooth during cavity prep"
"intercuspal position (ICP) - CORRECT ANSWER The maximum intercuspation of the
mandibular and maxillary teeth; also called centric occlusion and habitual occlusion
*ICP=MIP"
"Advantages of composite - CORRECT ANSWER Is esthetic, durable, placed in one appt., good
compressive strength, preparation more conservative than amalgam, bonding helps support
surrounding tooth, better marginal seal, resists solubility and wear"
"Mechanical retention - CORRECT ANSWER The attachment of materials to surfaces by means
of grooves in the cavity preparation, between tooth structure and bonding agent"
"Mottled enamel - CORRECT ANSWER The chalky white appearance of teeth due to toxic
amounts of fluoride; dental fluorosis"
"Vice (tofflemire) - CORRECT ANSWER Box shaped, has opening for spindle"
"Spindle (tofflemire) - CORRECT ANSWER Holds the end of the matrix band in place. Looks
like a screw."
"Embrasure - CORRECT ANSWER Triangular space in a gingival direction between the proximal
surfaces of two adjoining teeth in contact, 4 embrasures surround every contact area"
"Spillway - CORRECT ANSWER Small groove that originates in triangular fossa and runs over
marginal ridge, helps deflect food during mastication"
1|P a ge
,"Class I cavity lesions - CORRECT ANSWER Originates in Pits and fissures"
"Class I Occlusion - CORRECT ANSWER Mesial Buccal (MB) cusp of maxillary 1st molar aligns
with buccal (B) groove of mandibular 1st molar
Mesiognathic profile"
"Purpose of a wedge - CORRECT ANSWER Adapts band to cervical region to prevent overhang,
pushes teeth apart to ensure contact"
"Wedges should be placed - CORRECT ANSWER Lingually because the Largest embrasure is
the Lingual embrasure"
"Why use bases and liners? - CORRECT ANSWER For pulpal protection"
"Coefficient of thermal expansion - CORRECT ANSWER Percolation and microleakage"
"Sealers - CORRECT ANSWER Seals dental tubules, prevents discoloration of amalgam, helps
maintain marginal seal and microleakage. NOT USED FOR THERMAL PROTECTION
EX: cavity varnish. NEVER UNDER COMPOSITE , SOLVENT"
"90% of caries in children are - CORRECT ANSWER Pit and fissures"
"Fluoride varnish before or after sealants? - CORRECT ANSWER After"
"Fluoride (systemic) - CORRECT ANSWER Pre-eruption, developing teeth"
"Fluoride topically - CORRECT ANSWER Post-eruptive, applied to exposed tooth surfaces"
"Fluorosis - CORRECT ANSWER Effect of excess fluoride by ingestion, resulting in defective
enamel"
"Fluoride - Demineralization and remineralization - CORRECT ANSWER inhibits demin and
enhances demin, inhibits bacterial growth"
"Bifurcated - CORRECT ANSWER Single tooth with 2 roots"
"Cementum - CORRECT ANSWER Specialized, calcified connective tissue that covers the
anatomic root of a tooth"
"CEJ (cementoenamel junction) - CORRECT ANSWER where the cementum and enamel meet"
2|P a ge
, "Cingulumn - CORRECT ANSWER Small bump near cervical third on lingual side"
"Enamel - CORRECT ANSWER hard, outermost layer of a tooth"
"DEJ (dentinoenamel junction) - CORRECT ANSWER Where the dentin and enamel meet"
"Fissure - CORRECT ANSWER deep groove, incomplete closure of lobes"
"Fossae - CORRECT ANSWER Major depression on occlusal surface of tooth"
"Periodontal Lingament (PDL) - CORRECT ANSWER Fibers that connect tooth to bone"
"Periodontium - CORRECT ANSWER consists of the bone and soft tissues that surround and
support the teeth"
"Pulp - CORRECT ANSWER The tissue that contains the blood vessels and nerves of a tooth.
Feels pain"
"Sulcus - CORRECT ANSWER Unattached free gingiva - gingiva crevice"
"Pit - CORRECT ANSWER A small pinpoint depression on the surface of a tooth that is caused
by the failure of the union of the developmental grooves"
"Cusp - CORRECT ANSWER Major elevation or convexity on the masticatory surfaces of
canines and posterior teeth"
"Ridge - CORRECT ANSWER a linear elevation of enamel found on the tooth"
"Clinical crown - CORRECT ANSWER That portion of the tooth that is visible in the oral cavity"
"Anatomical crown - CORRECT ANSWER Portion of the tooth that is covered with enamel
(non-visible)"
"Dentin - CORRECT ANSWER Dense tissue forming the bulk of a tooth"
"Function of anterior teeth - CORRECT ANSWER Tear/ cut food without heavy force"
3|P a ge
QUESTIONS WITH 100% VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS
"A cavity sealer is used to seal: - CORRECT ANSWER dentin tubules, like a liner"
"Reinforcers - CORRECT ANSWER Protects from force of instrumentation"
"Stimulator - CORRECT ANSWER Calcium hydroxide = forms secondary dentin"
"Insulator - CORRECT ANSWER Used as a base for luting agents"
"Band extension - CORRECT ANSWER The matrix band must extend 0.5-1.5mm to the height
of the tooth during cavity prep"
"intercuspal position (ICP) - CORRECT ANSWER The maximum intercuspation of the
mandibular and maxillary teeth; also called centric occlusion and habitual occlusion
*ICP=MIP"
"Advantages of composite - CORRECT ANSWER Is esthetic, durable, placed in one appt., good
compressive strength, preparation more conservative than amalgam, bonding helps support
surrounding tooth, better marginal seal, resists solubility and wear"
"Mechanical retention - CORRECT ANSWER The attachment of materials to surfaces by means
of grooves in the cavity preparation, between tooth structure and bonding agent"
"Mottled enamel - CORRECT ANSWER The chalky white appearance of teeth due to toxic
amounts of fluoride; dental fluorosis"
"Vice (tofflemire) - CORRECT ANSWER Box shaped, has opening for spindle"
"Spindle (tofflemire) - CORRECT ANSWER Holds the end of the matrix band in place. Looks
like a screw."
"Embrasure - CORRECT ANSWER Triangular space in a gingival direction between the proximal
surfaces of two adjoining teeth in contact, 4 embrasures surround every contact area"
"Spillway - CORRECT ANSWER Small groove that originates in triangular fossa and runs over
marginal ridge, helps deflect food during mastication"
1|P a ge
,"Class I cavity lesions - CORRECT ANSWER Originates in Pits and fissures"
"Class I Occlusion - CORRECT ANSWER Mesial Buccal (MB) cusp of maxillary 1st molar aligns
with buccal (B) groove of mandibular 1st molar
Mesiognathic profile"
"Purpose of a wedge - CORRECT ANSWER Adapts band to cervical region to prevent overhang,
pushes teeth apart to ensure contact"
"Wedges should be placed - CORRECT ANSWER Lingually because the Largest embrasure is
the Lingual embrasure"
"Why use bases and liners? - CORRECT ANSWER For pulpal protection"
"Coefficient of thermal expansion - CORRECT ANSWER Percolation and microleakage"
"Sealers - CORRECT ANSWER Seals dental tubules, prevents discoloration of amalgam, helps
maintain marginal seal and microleakage. NOT USED FOR THERMAL PROTECTION
EX: cavity varnish. NEVER UNDER COMPOSITE , SOLVENT"
"90% of caries in children are - CORRECT ANSWER Pit and fissures"
"Fluoride varnish before or after sealants? - CORRECT ANSWER After"
"Fluoride (systemic) - CORRECT ANSWER Pre-eruption, developing teeth"
"Fluoride topically - CORRECT ANSWER Post-eruptive, applied to exposed tooth surfaces"
"Fluorosis - CORRECT ANSWER Effect of excess fluoride by ingestion, resulting in defective
enamel"
"Fluoride - Demineralization and remineralization - CORRECT ANSWER inhibits demin and
enhances demin, inhibits bacterial growth"
"Bifurcated - CORRECT ANSWER Single tooth with 2 roots"
"Cementum - CORRECT ANSWER Specialized, calcified connective tissue that covers the
anatomic root of a tooth"
"CEJ (cementoenamel junction) - CORRECT ANSWER where the cementum and enamel meet"
2|P a ge
, "Cingulumn - CORRECT ANSWER Small bump near cervical third on lingual side"
"Enamel - CORRECT ANSWER hard, outermost layer of a tooth"
"DEJ (dentinoenamel junction) - CORRECT ANSWER Where the dentin and enamel meet"
"Fissure - CORRECT ANSWER deep groove, incomplete closure of lobes"
"Fossae - CORRECT ANSWER Major depression on occlusal surface of tooth"
"Periodontal Lingament (PDL) - CORRECT ANSWER Fibers that connect tooth to bone"
"Periodontium - CORRECT ANSWER consists of the bone and soft tissues that surround and
support the teeth"
"Pulp - CORRECT ANSWER The tissue that contains the blood vessels and nerves of a tooth.
Feels pain"
"Sulcus - CORRECT ANSWER Unattached free gingiva - gingiva crevice"
"Pit - CORRECT ANSWER A small pinpoint depression on the surface of a tooth that is caused
by the failure of the union of the developmental grooves"
"Cusp - CORRECT ANSWER Major elevation or convexity on the masticatory surfaces of
canines and posterior teeth"
"Ridge - CORRECT ANSWER a linear elevation of enamel found on the tooth"
"Clinical crown - CORRECT ANSWER That portion of the tooth that is visible in the oral cavity"
"Anatomical crown - CORRECT ANSWER Portion of the tooth that is covered with enamel
(non-visible)"
"Dentin - CORRECT ANSWER Dense tissue forming the bulk of a tooth"
"Function of anterior teeth - CORRECT ANSWER Tear/ cut food without heavy force"
3|P a ge
