Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

What could cause enamel hyperplasia in a patient?

1. Genetic factors

2. Trauma or infection of a primary tooth

3. Improper oral hygiene

4. Nutritional deficiencies

The correct answer is: Trauma or infection of a primary tooth

Enamel hyperplasia is a condition characterized by the abnormal development or formation of enamel, leading to defects that can manifest in various ways, such as pits, grooves, or a change in color. Trauma or infection of a primary tooth can indeed lead to enamel hyperplasia. When a primary tooth is subjected to trauma or becomes infected, the disruption in the normal development of the dental bud can occur. This disruption can affect the enamel-forming cells within the developing tooth, leading to enamel hyperplasia during the periods of enamel formation. In contrast, while genetic factors may play a role in overall dental development, they are not a direct cause of localized enamel hyperplasia. Similarly, improper oral hygiene and nutritional deficiencies can affect the health of teeth and the periodontium, but they are less likely to result in structural defects of enamel like those associated with trauma or infection. Nutritional deficiencies may contribute to overall enamel quality, but they do not directly result in hyperplastic changes, which are often linked more closely to disturbances in the enamel formation process due to external factors like trauma.