[HAADPeriodontics] HAAD Periodontics
DOH Licensureination for Specialist
Periodontics Certification Exam
Preparation
**Question 1.** Which layer of the gingiva contains the highest concentration of collagen fibers
that insert perpendicularly into the tooth surface?
A) Connective tissue core of the free gingiva
B) Junctional epithelium
C) Supraperiosteal connective tissue of the attached gingiva
D) Subepithelial connective tissue of the mucogingival junction
Answer: C
Explanation: The attached gingiva’s supraperiosteal connective tissue contains dense collagen
fibers (including Collagen fibers of the dentogingival unit) that insert perpendicularly into
cementum, providing resistance to mechanical forces.
**Question 2.** The primary source of blood supply to the periodontal ligament (PDL) is:
A) Inferior alveolar artery branches
B) Superior alveolar artery branches
C) Submental artery branches
D) Facial artery branches
Answer: B
Explanation: The superior (or inferior) alveolar arteries give rise to the periodontal ligament
branches that perfuse the PDL, delivering nutrients and immune cells.
**Question 3.** Which of the following microorganisms is most strongly associated with
aggressive periodontitis in adolescents?
A) Porphyromonas gingivalis
B) Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
, [HAADPeriodontics] HAAD Periodontics
DOH Licensureination for Specialist
Periodontics Certification Exam
Preparation
C) Tannerella forsythia
D) Fusobacterium nucleatum
Answer: B
Explanation: A. actinomycetemcomitans, especially the JP2 clone, is linked to localized
aggressive periodontitis in young patients.
**Question 4.** In Socransky’s microbial complexes, the “Red Complex” includes all the
following EXCEPT:
A) Porphyromonas gingivalis
B) Treponema denticola
C) Tannerella forsythia
D) Prevotella intermedia
Answer: D
Explanation: The Red Complex comprises P. gingivalis, T. denticola, and T. forsythia; Prevotella
intermedia belongs to the Orange Complex.
**Question 5.** Which cytokine is considered the most potent inducer of osteoclast
differentiation in periodontitis?
A) Interleukin‑1β (IL‑1β)
B) Interleukin‑6 (IL‑6)
C) Tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α)
D) Interleukin‑10 (IL‑10)
Answer: C
, [HAADPeriodontics] HAAD Periodontics
DOH Licensureination for Specialist
Periodontics Certification Exam
Preparation
Explanation: TNF‑α synergizes with RANKL to promote osteoclastogenesis, driving alveolar bone
loss.
**Question 6.** Matrix metalloproteinase‑8 (MMP‑8) released from neutrophils primarily
degrades which periodontal tissue component?
A) Type I collagen of the PDL
B) Elastin in the gingival epithelium
C) Alkaline phosphatase in cementum
D) Glycosaminoglycans in the gingival sulcus
Answer: A
Explanation: MMP‑8 (collagenase‑2) preferentially cleaves type I collagen, a major constituent
of the periodontal ligament and gingival connective tissue.
**Question 7.** Which genetic polymorphism has been most consistently linked to increased
risk of chronic periodontitis?
A) IL‑1β (+3954)
B) MMP‑9 (−1562)
C) VDR (FokI)
D) TNF‑α (−308)
Answer: A
Explanation: The IL‑1β (+3954) allele is associated with heightened inflammatory response and
greater attachment loss.
**Question 8.** Smoking exerts its detrimental effect on periodontal therapy primarily by:
, [HAADPeriodontics] HAAD Periodontics
DOH Licensureination for Specialist
Periodontics Certification Exam
Preparation
A) Reducing microbial plaque accumulation
B) Enhancing neutrophil chemotaxis
C) Impairing fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis
D) Increasing salivary flow
Answer: C
Explanation: Nicotine and other tobacco constituents inhibit fibroblast function and collagen
production, compromising healing.
**Question 9.** The clinical measurement “clinical attachment loss (CAL)” is calculated by:
A) Probing depth + gingival margin level relative to the CEJ
B) Probing depth – gingival recession depth
C) Gingival margin level – probing depth
D) Probing depth + gingival recession (if present)
Answer: D
Explanation: CAL = probing depth + recession (or CAL = probing depth – (negative recession)
when the gingival margin is coronal to the CEJ).
**Question 10.** According to the 2018 AAP/EFP classification, a patient with stage III, grade B
periodontitis is most likely to present with:
A) Less than 15% bone loss, no furcation involvement
B) More than 30% bone loss, ≥3 mm CAL, and moderate systemic risk factors
C) Rapid attachment loss, <5 mm CAL, and no radiographic bone loss
D) Generalized gingivitis without attachment loss
DOH Licensureination for Specialist
Periodontics Certification Exam
Preparation
**Question 1.** Which layer of the gingiva contains the highest concentration of collagen fibers
that insert perpendicularly into the tooth surface?
A) Connective tissue core of the free gingiva
B) Junctional epithelium
C) Supraperiosteal connective tissue of the attached gingiva
D) Subepithelial connective tissue of the mucogingival junction
Answer: C
Explanation: The attached gingiva’s supraperiosteal connective tissue contains dense collagen
fibers (including Collagen fibers of the dentogingival unit) that insert perpendicularly into
cementum, providing resistance to mechanical forces.
**Question 2.** The primary source of blood supply to the periodontal ligament (PDL) is:
A) Inferior alveolar artery branches
B) Superior alveolar artery branches
C) Submental artery branches
D) Facial artery branches
Answer: B
Explanation: The superior (or inferior) alveolar arteries give rise to the periodontal ligament
branches that perfuse the PDL, delivering nutrients and immune cells.
**Question 3.** Which of the following microorganisms is most strongly associated with
aggressive periodontitis in adolescents?
A) Porphyromonas gingivalis
B) Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
, [HAADPeriodontics] HAAD Periodontics
DOH Licensureination for Specialist
Periodontics Certification Exam
Preparation
C) Tannerella forsythia
D) Fusobacterium nucleatum
Answer: B
Explanation: A. actinomycetemcomitans, especially the JP2 clone, is linked to localized
aggressive periodontitis in young patients.
**Question 4.** In Socransky’s microbial complexes, the “Red Complex” includes all the
following EXCEPT:
A) Porphyromonas gingivalis
B) Treponema denticola
C) Tannerella forsythia
D) Prevotella intermedia
Answer: D
Explanation: The Red Complex comprises P. gingivalis, T. denticola, and T. forsythia; Prevotella
intermedia belongs to the Orange Complex.
**Question 5.** Which cytokine is considered the most potent inducer of osteoclast
differentiation in periodontitis?
A) Interleukin‑1β (IL‑1β)
B) Interleukin‑6 (IL‑6)
C) Tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α)
D) Interleukin‑10 (IL‑10)
Answer: C
, [HAADPeriodontics] HAAD Periodontics
DOH Licensureination for Specialist
Periodontics Certification Exam
Preparation
Explanation: TNF‑α synergizes with RANKL to promote osteoclastogenesis, driving alveolar bone
loss.
**Question 6.** Matrix metalloproteinase‑8 (MMP‑8) released from neutrophils primarily
degrades which periodontal tissue component?
A) Type I collagen of the PDL
B) Elastin in the gingival epithelium
C) Alkaline phosphatase in cementum
D) Glycosaminoglycans in the gingival sulcus
Answer: A
Explanation: MMP‑8 (collagenase‑2) preferentially cleaves type I collagen, a major constituent
of the periodontal ligament and gingival connective tissue.
**Question 7.** Which genetic polymorphism has been most consistently linked to increased
risk of chronic periodontitis?
A) IL‑1β (+3954)
B) MMP‑9 (−1562)
C) VDR (FokI)
D) TNF‑α (−308)
Answer: A
Explanation: The IL‑1β (+3954) allele is associated with heightened inflammatory response and
greater attachment loss.
**Question 8.** Smoking exerts its detrimental effect on periodontal therapy primarily by:
, [HAADPeriodontics] HAAD Periodontics
DOH Licensureination for Specialist
Periodontics Certification Exam
Preparation
A) Reducing microbial plaque accumulation
B) Enhancing neutrophil chemotaxis
C) Impairing fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis
D) Increasing salivary flow
Answer: C
Explanation: Nicotine and other tobacco constituents inhibit fibroblast function and collagen
production, compromising healing.
**Question 9.** The clinical measurement “clinical attachment loss (CAL)” is calculated by:
A) Probing depth + gingival margin level relative to the CEJ
B) Probing depth – gingival recession depth
C) Gingival margin level – probing depth
D) Probing depth + gingival recession (if present)
Answer: D
Explanation: CAL = probing depth + recession (or CAL = probing depth – (negative recession)
when the gingival margin is coronal to the CEJ).
**Question 10.** According to the 2018 AAP/EFP classification, a patient with stage III, grade B
periodontitis is most likely to present with:
A) Less than 15% bone loss, no furcation involvement
B) More than 30% bone loss, ≥3 mm CAL, and moderate systemic risk factors
C) Rapid attachment loss, <5 mm CAL, and no radiographic bone loss
D) Generalized gingivitis without attachment loss
