Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

In cementoblastoma, is the affected tooth vital or non-vital?

1. Non-vital

2. VITAL

3. Sometimes vital

4. More often non-vital

The correct answer is: VITAL

In cementoblastoma, the affected tooth is typically vital. This is because cementoblastoma is a benign odontogenic tumor that arises from cementoblasts, which are responsible for the formation of cementum on the tooth roots. Since the tumor originates from the tissues surrounding the tooth rather than directly from the pulp, the vitality of the tooth is usually preserved. Vitality refers to the health of the tooth's pulp, which can be assessed through various tests such as percusion or the application of cold stimuli. In the case of cementoblastoma, the surrounding structures can stimulate increased blood flow to the pulp, thus maintaining its vitality. However, teeth affected by cementoblastoma may remain vital even as the tumor develops, meaning that they can still elicit a response when tested. While sometimes the vitality can be questionable due to the size and extent of the tumor causing resorption or other changes, the classification of the tooth as vital stands in most cases. This differentiates cementoblastoma from other dental conditions that may lead to pulp necrosis and non-vital teeth.