PERIO FINAL EXAM WITH QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS | LATEST UPDATED 2026/2027 | GRADED A+ |
ASSURED PASS.
Which of the following tissues is NOT part of the periodontium? - ANSWER
Alveolar mucosa
A dental hygienist is assessing a patient's mouth using a calibrated periodontal
probe. When she inserts the probe into a sulcus, which anatomical area of the
periodontium is the hygienist evaluating? - ANSWER Gingiva
A dental hygienist inserts a calibrated periodontal probe into a healthy sulcus until
the tip reaches the base of the sulcus. What anatomical structure forms the base of
the sulcus? - ANSWER Junctional epithelium
During mastication, the tooth is cushioned from occlusal forces by what? -
ANSWER Periodontal ligament
If a tooth did not have one of the following anatomical structures, it might fall out
of its socket: - ANSWER Periodontal ligament
A patient has deep pockets and has had 3-month appointments with a dental
hygienist for many years. At each visit, the hygienists who have treated her
performed periodontal instrumentation on the roots of all the teeth using a very
firm, scraping stroke. After many years, the periodontal instrumentation might
remove part of the periodontium. Which part? - ANSWER Cementum
While assessing the gingival tissue, the hygienists notes that there appears to be
"open spaces" apical to the contact areas of many of the patient's teeth. Which
anatomical area of the gingiva is "missing," resulting in the "open spaces"? -
ANSWER Interdental gingiva
A dentist extracts a third molar because it is crowding the adjacent teeth and is
difficult for the patient to clean. Once the tooth is extracted, if the dentist looks
into the tooth socket, she will be looking at which anatomical structure? - ANSWER
ALveolar bone proper
,Which of the following structures holds the gingival tissue against the tooth during
mastication? - ANSWER Gingiva
The interdental gingiva has two interdental papillae. Interdental gingiva has one
papilla on the facial and one of the pill on the lingual. True or false? - ANSWER
Both statements are true
Depth of a clinically normal gingival sulcus is no greater than what? - ANSWER
3mm
Which of the following statements is false about the junctional epithelium? -
ANSWER Junctional epithelium is the point at which the alveolar mucosa meets
the attached gingiva
Which of the following is not a function of the periodontal ligament? - ANSWER
Prevents food from becoming packed in the sulcus
The col is the space between the tooth surface and the free gingiva. It is a space that
lies directly apical to the contact area. True or false? - ANSWER First statement
false, second true
The periodontal ligament can remodel the alveolar bone in response to pressure.
The periodontal ligament can provide nutrients to cementum and bone. True or
false? - ANSWER Both statements are true
A thin layer of yellow, hard, mineralize tissue that is attached to Dentin of the tooth
root refers to which tissue? - ANSWER Cementum
The coronal-most edge of the gingiva is the alveolar mucosa. Alveolar mucosa is
distinguished by its dark red color and smooth, shiny surface. True or False? -
ANSWER First is false, second true.
What shallow linear depression separates the free and the attached gingiva? -
ANSWER Free gingival junction
The difference between the free gingiva and the attached gingiva is what? -
ANSWER The free gingiva is unattached, and the attached gingiva tightly
connected to the cementum.
The space between the free gingiva and the tooth surface is called what? -
ANSWER Gingival sulcus
,Without cement them, the tooth would fall out of the socket. Cementum anchors
the ends of the periodontal ligament fibers to the tooth. True or false? - ANSWER
Both statements are true
Which of the following is not one of the layers of the alveolar process? - ANSWER
Ramus
Existence of the alveolar bone is dependent on the presence of teeth. When teeth
are extracted, the alveolar bone resorbs. True or false? - ANSWER Both statements
are true
Lattice like bone that fills the interior portion of the alveolar process refers to what?
- ANSWER Cancellous bone
Nerve supply to the periodontium is derived from branches of what nerve? -
ANSWER Trigeminal
Innervation of the teeth and periodontal ligament of the maxillary arch is from the
____________alveolar nerves, and innervation of the teeth and periodontal ligament
of the mandibular arch is from the ___________ alveolar nerves. - ANSWER
Superior, inferior
Blood vessels can anastomose with nerves to create a vascular system that carries
oxygen to tissues and feelings to the pulp of the tooth. The major function of the
vascular supply is to carry carbon dioxide and other nutrients to tissues. true or
false? - ANSWER Both are false
Lymph from the periodontal tissues is drained to the lymph nodes of which of the
following? - ANSWER Head and neck
The thin layer of bone that lines the socket to surround the root of the tooth is
called what? - ANSWER Alveolar bone proper
The alveolar crest follows the contours of the cementoenamel junctions of the
teeth. In health, the alveolar crest covers the cementoenamel junctions of the
teeth. True or false? - ANSWER First statement is true, second false
The alveolar bone that houses the roof of the teeth is referred to as what? -
ANSWER Alveoli
, Which of the following lymph nodes drain most of the periodontal tissues? -
ANSWER Submandibular
Which of the following are not filtered out by the lymph nodes? - ANSWER Food
debris
To neighboring epithelial cells in the gingival epithelium are attached to one
another by which type of cell Junction? - ANSWER Desmosome
A gingival epithelial cell is attached to the basil lamina. Which type of cell
Junction allows the cell to attach to the basil lamina? - ANSWER Hemidesmosome
A patient has a healthy periodontium. If the hygienist could see the microscopic
structures of this patient's periodontium, how would the interface of the junctional
epithelium with the gingival connective tissue up here? - ANSWER It would have a
smooth interface
Free gingival would fall away from the tooth when we eat if not for which of the
following anatomical structures? - ANSWER Both hemidesmosomes and internal
basal lamina
The gingival connective tissues would be very weak and tend to fall apart if not for
which of the following structures? - ANSWER Extracellular matrix
The mat of extracellular matrix that separates epithelial sheets from underlying
connective tissue is called what? - ANSWER Basal lamina
Epithelium does not contain blood vessels. Epithelium is a non-vital tissue that
does not require nourishment to maintain cells. True or false? - ANSWER First
statement true, second false
Which of the following cellular structures mechanically attaches to a neighboring
sell or to the basil lamina? - ANSWER Cytoskeleton
A dental hygienist gently insert a calibrated periodontal probe into a circus. One
side of the working end of the probe touches the tooth surface as the probe Is
inserted. During the process of insertion, the other side of the probe is touching
which of the following anatomical structures? - ANSWER Sulcular epithelium
A dental hygienist inserts a periodontal probe into a deep 6 mm periodontal pocket
until he reaches the base of the pocket. Which anatomical structure forms the base
of the periodontal pocket? - ANSWER Junctional epithelium
ANSWERS | LATEST UPDATED 2026/2027 | GRADED A+ |
ASSURED PASS.
Which of the following tissues is NOT part of the periodontium? - ANSWER
Alveolar mucosa
A dental hygienist is assessing a patient's mouth using a calibrated periodontal
probe. When she inserts the probe into a sulcus, which anatomical area of the
periodontium is the hygienist evaluating? - ANSWER Gingiva
A dental hygienist inserts a calibrated periodontal probe into a healthy sulcus until
the tip reaches the base of the sulcus. What anatomical structure forms the base of
the sulcus? - ANSWER Junctional epithelium
During mastication, the tooth is cushioned from occlusal forces by what? -
ANSWER Periodontal ligament
If a tooth did not have one of the following anatomical structures, it might fall out
of its socket: - ANSWER Periodontal ligament
A patient has deep pockets and has had 3-month appointments with a dental
hygienist for many years. At each visit, the hygienists who have treated her
performed periodontal instrumentation on the roots of all the teeth using a very
firm, scraping stroke. After many years, the periodontal instrumentation might
remove part of the periodontium. Which part? - ANSWER Cementum
While assessing the gingival tissue, the hygienists notes that there appears to be
"open spaces" apical to the contact areas of many of the patient's teeth. Which
anatomical area of the gingiva is "missing," resulting in the "open spaces"? -
ANSWER Interdental gingiva
A dentist extracts a third molar because it is crowding the adjacent teeth and is
difficult for the patient to clean. Once the tooth is extracted, if the dentist looks
into the tooth socket, she will be looking at which anatomical structure? - ANSWER
ALveolar bone proper
,Which of the following structures holds the gingival tissue against the tooth during
mastication? - ANSWER Gingiva
The interdental gingiva has two interdental papillae. Interdental gingiva has one
papilla on the facial and one of the pill on the lingual. True or false? - ANSWER
Both statements are true
Depth of a clinically normal gingival sulcus is no greater than what? - ANSWER
3mm
Which of the following statements is false about the junctional epithelium? -
ANSWER Junctional epithelium is the point at which the alveolar mucosa meets
the attached gingiva
Which of the following is not a function of the periodontal ligament? - ANSWER
Prevents food from becoming packed in the sulcus
The col is the space between the tooth surface and the free gingiva. It is a space that
lies directly apical to the contact area. True or false? - ANSWER First statement
false, second true
The periodontal ligament can remodel the alveolar bone in response to pressure.
The periodontal ligament can provide nutrients to cementum and bone. True or
false? - ANSWER Both statements are true
A thin layer of yellow, hard, mineralize tissue that is attached to Dentin of the tooth
root refers to which tissue? - ANSWER Cementum
The coronal-most edge of the gingiva is the alveolar mucosa. Alveolar mucosa is
distinguished by its dark red color and smooth, shiny surface. True or False? -
ANSWER First is false, second true.
What shallow linear depression separates the free and the attached gingiva? -
ANSWER Free gingival junction
The difference between the free gingiva and the attached gingiva is what? -
ANSWER The free gingiva is unattached, and the attached gingiva tightly
connected to the cementum.
The space between the free gingiva and the tooth surface is called what? -
ANSWER Gingival sulcus
,Without cement them, the tooth would fall out of the socket. Cementum anchors
the ends of the periodontal ligament fibers to the tooth. True or false? - ANSWER
Both statements are true
Which of the following is not one of the layers of the alveolar process? - ANSWER
Ramus
Existence of the alveolar bone is dependent on the presence of teeth. When teeth
are extracted, the alveolar bone resorbs. True or false? - ANSWER Both statements
are true
Lattice like bone that fills the interior portion of the alveolar process refers to what?
- ANSWER Cancellous bone
Nerve supply to the periodontium is derived from branches of what nerve? -
ANSWER Trigeminal
Innervation of the teeth and periodontal ligament of the maxillary arch is from the
____________alveolar nerves, and innervation of the teeth and periodontal ligament
of the mandibular arch is from the ___________ alveolar nerves. - ANSWER
Superior, inferior
Blood vessels can anastomose with nerves to create a vascular system that carries
oxygen to tissues and feelings to the pulp of the tooth. The major function of the
vascular supply is to carry carbon dioxide and other nutrients to tissues. true or
false? - ANSWER Both are false
Lymph from the periodontal tissues is drained to the lymph nodes of which of the
following? - ANSWER Head and neck
The thin layer of bone that lines the socket to surround the root of the tooth is
called what? - ANSWER Alveolar bone proper
The alveolar crest follows the contours of the cementoenamel junctions of the
teeth. In health, the alveolar crest covers the cementoenamel junctions of the
teeth. True or false? - ANSWER First statement is true, second false
The alveolar bone that houses the roof of the teeth is referred to as what? -
ANSWER Alveoli
, Which of the following lymph nodes drain most of the periodontal tissues? -
ANSWER Submandibular
Which of the following are not filtered out by the lymph nodes? - ANSWER Food
debris
To neighboring epithelial cells in the gingival epithelium are attached to one
another by which type of cell Junction? - ANSWER Desmosome
A gingival epithelial cell is attached to the basil lamina. Which type of cell
Junction allows the cell to attach to the basil lamina? - ANSWER Hemidesmosome
A patient has a healthy periodontium. If the hygienist could see the microscopic
structures of this patient's periodontium, how would the interface of the junctional
epithelium with the gingival connective tissue up here? - ANSWER It would have a
smooth interface
Free gingival would fall away from the tooth when we eat if not for which of the
following anatomical structures? - ANSWER Both hemidesmosomes and internal
basal lamina
The gingival connective tissues would be very weak and tend to fall apart if not for
which of the following structures? - ANSWER Extracellular matrix
The mat of extracellular matrix that separates epithelial sheets from underlying
connective tissue is called what? - ANSWER Basal lamina
Epithelium does not contain blood vessels. Epithelium is a non-vital tissue that
does not require nourishment to maintain cells. True or false? - ANSWER First
statement true, second false
Which of the following cellular structures mechanically attaches to a neighboring
sell or to the basil lamina? - ANSWER Cytoskeleton
A dental hygienist gently insert a calibrated periodontal probe into a circus. One
side of the working end of the probe touches the tooth surface as the probe Is
inserted. During the process of insertion, the other side of the probe is touching
which of the following anatomical structures? - ANSWER Sulcular epithelium
A dental hygienist inserts a periodontal probe into a deep 6 mm periodontal pocket
until he reaches the base of the pocket. Which anatomical structure forms the base
of the periodontal pocket? - ANSWER Junctional epithelium
