AAPD QE BOARD EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | LATEST
UPDATE 2026/2027 | GRADED A+ (100% PASS)
What layer do neural crest cells develop from? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Ectoderm
At what embryonic age does the dental lamina begin to develop? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 6 weeks
What are the three components of the tooth bud? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Enamel Organ
Dental papilla
Dental sac
What are the three morphologic stages of a developing tooth bud? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Bud stage
Cap stage
Bell stage
During the bell stage invagination of the epithelium occurs, which layer is
essential for enamel production? - CORRECT ANSWER - Stratum intermedium
,Which cells does the stellate reticulum support and protect? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Ameloblasts
What do remnants of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath persist as? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Rests of Malassez
What is the origin of the dental papilla? - CORRECT ANSWER - Neural crest
cells
What are the 7 steps (in order) of histophyisological differentiation of a tooth bud?
- CORRECT ANSWER - Initiation
Proliferation
Histodifferentiation
Morphodifferentiation
Apposition
Mineralization
Maturation
During which stage of tooth development may problems that lead to anomalies of
tooth number occur? - CORRECT ANSWER - Initiation
Which three stages of tooth development encompasses the bud, cap, early bell and
late bell? - CORRECT ANSWER - Proliferation
,Histodifferentiation
Morphodifferentiation
Disruptions of proliferation may result in what type of tooth anomalies? (4) -
CORRECT ANSWER - Size
Proportion
Numbers
Twinning
What does the dental papilla differentiate in to? - CORRECT ANSWER - Dentin
and primordium of pulp
What are enamel pearls? - CORRECT ANSWER - Cells of epithelial root sheath
that remain attached to dentin. Differentiate into ameloblasts and produce enamel
Which stage of tooth development may lead to anomalies of the enamel, dentin,
and cementum? - CORRECT ANSWER - Morphodifferentiation
What is the incidence of hyperdontia? Males vs females? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 0.3 - 3%
Males 2:1 females
Is hyperdontia more common in maxilla or mandible? More common in primary
teeth or permanent teeth? - CORRECT ANSWER - Maxilla 90%
, Permanent dentition 5x more common that primary
Which permanent teeth are most frequently missing? List in order from most to
least common - CORRECT ANSWER - Third molars
Mandibular second pre molars
Maxillary lateral incisors
Maxillary second pre molars
Which syndrome is associated with shovel shaped incisors?
A. Sturge Weber Syndrome
B. Cleidocranial dysplasia
C. Apert syndrome
D. Hallermann Strieff Syndrome-A - CORRECT ANSWER - C. Apert
Syndrome
Narrow high palate
Cleft of soft palate
Delayed or ectopic eruption
Shovel shaped incisors
Hypoplastic midface
Which syndrome is associated with osteomas of the jaw?
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | LATEST
UPDATE 2026/2027 | GRADED A+ (100% PASS)
What layer do neural crest cells develop from? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Ectoderm
At what embryonic age does the dental lamina begin to develop? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 6 weeks
What are the three components of the tooth bud? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Enamel Organ
Dental papilla
Dental sac
What are the three morphologic stages of a developing tooth bud? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Bud stage
Cap stage
Bell stage
During the bell stage invagination of the epithelium occurs, which layer is
essential for enamel production? - CORRECT ANSWER - Stratum intermedium
,Which cells does the stellate reticulum support and protect? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Ameloblasts
What do remnants of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath persist as? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Rests of Malassez
What is the origin of the dental papilla? - CORRECT ANSWER - Neural crest
cells
What are the 7 steps (in order) of histophyisological differentiation of a tooth bud?
- CORRECT ANSWER - Initiation
Proliferation
Histodifferentiation
Morphodifferentiation
Apposition
Mineralization
Maturation
During which stage of tooth development may problems that lead to anomalies of
tooth number occur? - CORRECT ANSWER - Initiation
Which three stages of tooth development encompasses the bud, cap, early bell and
late bell? - CORRECT ANSWER - Proliferation
,Histodifferentiation
Morphodifferentiation
Disruptions of proliferation may result in what type of tooth anomalies? (4) -
CORRECT ANSWER - Size
Proportion
Numbers
Twinning
What does the dental papilla differentiate in to? - CORRECT ANSWER - Dentin
and primordium of pulp
What are enamel pearls? - CORRECT ANSWER - Cells of epithelial root sheath
that remain attached to dentin. Differentiate into ameloblasts and produce enamel
Which stage of tooth development may lead to anomalies of the enamel, dentin,
and cementum? - CORRECT ANSWER - Morphodifferentiation
What is the incidence of hyperdontia? Males vs females? - CORRECT
ANSWER - 0.3 - 3%
Males 2:1 females
Is hyperdontia more common in maxilla or mandible? More common in primary
teeth or permanent teeth? - CORRECT ANSWER - Maxilla 90%
, Permanent dentition 5x more common that primary
Which permanent teeth are most frequently missing? List in order from most to
least common - CORRECT ANSWER - Third molars
Mandibular second pre molars
Maxillary lateral incisors
Maxillary second pre molars
Which syndrome is associated with shovel shaped incisors?
A. Sturge Weber Syndrome
B. Cleidocranial dysplasia
C. Apert syndrome
D. Hallermann Strieff Syndrome-A - CORRECT ANSWER - C. Apert
Syndrome
Narrow high palate
Cleft of soft palate
Delayed or ectopic eruption
Shovel shaped incisors
Hypoplastic midface
Which syndrome is associated with osteomas of the jaw?
