Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

What is a common treatment for Paget's disease?

1. Surgical intervention

2. Calcitonin or bisphosphonate therapy

3. Radiation therapy

4. Antibiotic therapy

The correct answer is: Calcitonin or bisphosphonate therapy

The common treatment for Paget's disease involves the use of calcitonin or bisphosphonate therapy. Paget's disease is a chronic disorder that can result in enlarged and misshapen bones due to abnormal bone remodeling. In this context, calcitonin and bisphosphonates serve to reduce bone turnover and alleviate pain associated with the disease. These medications work by inhibiting osteoclast activity, which helps to slow down the excessive bone resorption that characterizes Paget's disease. Furthermore, bisphosphonates are specifically effective at managing the disease due to their ability to bind to bone and promote its stabilization over time. While surgical intervention may be necessary in some cases to address complications or deformities, it is not a first-line treatment for the disease itself. Radiation therapy is not typically used for Paget's disease but might be considered in specific situations, such as in patients showing signs of bone malignancy. Antibiotic therapy is unrelated to the treatment of Paget's disease, as this condition is not caused by an infection but rather involves metabolic bone processes.