Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

In which dental condition might you find weak, brittle bones in a patient?

1. Osteogenesis imperfecta

2. Osteosarcoma

3. Periodontal disease

4. Osteitis deformans

The correct answer is: Osteogenesis imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disorder characterized by fragile bones that break easily, often with little or no apparent cause. This condition is due to a defect in the collagen synthesis, which is a crucial protein for bone structure. Patients with osteogenesis imperfecta often present with recurrent fractures and may have a variety of other symptoms, such as blue sclera, hearing loss, and dental issues, including discolored teeth and weakened enamel. The key feature of this condition is the reduction in bone density and strength, which classifies it as a bone fragility disorder. Other conditions listed do not primarily present with weak or brittle bones in the same way. For example, osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that can lead to bone weakening, but it is characterized more by the presence of a tumor and its aggressive nature rather than generalized brittleness of the bones. Periodontal disease affects the periodontal tissues and can lead to bone loss around teeth, but it does not typically cause the systemic bone fragility that is seen in osteogenesis imperfecta. Osteitis deformans, also known as Paget's disease of bone, involves abnormal bone remodeling and often leads to enlarged and structurally weakened bones, but it does not have the same genetic basis or