1

Overview of Dental
Materials

1. The overriding goal of dentistry is to

a.
b.
c.
d.

Maintain or improve the quality of life of the dental patient

Maintain or improve the quality of life of the dentist
Alleviate pain
Make money for the dentist

Answer: a (p. 4*)

Explanation
This can be done by preventing disease, improving mastication efciency,
relieving pain, enhancing speech and improving appearance.
2. Which of the following is not a criterion for an ideal restorative
material of choice?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Biocompatible
Permanent bond to the tooth structure
Match the natural appearance of the tooth structure
Degenerate in a short period of time

Answer: d (p. 4)
Explanation
The material should be long lasting. Only in very specic clinical situations, it
may be desirable for the material to degrade in a short period of time.

* These page number references pertain to Philips Science of Dental Materials, 11th ed.

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MCQs IN DENTAL MATERIALS

3. Which of the following is an example of auxiliary dental material?

a. Cast metal
c. Gypsum products

b. Ceramic
d. Amalgam

Answer: c (p. 6)
Explanation
Materials can be classied as preventive, restorative and auxiliary materials.
A further classication according to the application, potential preventive
benets and durability is given on pages 5 and 6 of Philips Science of Dental
Materials, 11th ed.
4. Dentistry as a specialty is believed to have begun in
a. 5000 BC
c. 3000 BC

b. 4000 BC
d. 2000 BC

Answer: c (p. 6)
Explanation
Around 2500 BC, the Phoenicians used gold wires and bands on the teeth. The
rst book focused solely on dentistry was the Artzney Buchlein in 1530, and
Charles Allen was the author of the rst dental textbook written in English,
Operator for the Teeth, in 1685.
5. Who is considered as the father of modern dentistry?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Pare
Pierre Fauchard
Pfaff
Taveau

Answer: b (p. 6)
Explanation
Pierre Fauchard is considered as the father of modern dentistry and an academy
has also been established in his honour. G.V. Black is also considered by
the journal of operative dentistry as the father of modern dentistry for his
phenomenal work on operative dentistry in 1908.

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OVERVIEW OF DENTAL MATERIALS

6. The rst seal of ADA acceptance was awarded in the year

a. 1921
c. 1941

b. 1931
d. 1951

Answer: b (p. 10)

Explanation
The ADA seal of acceptance is considered by the patients and dentist as an
important symbol of dental product safety and efciency.
7. According to FDA, all implanted and life-saving devices are placed
under which class of medical and dental items?
a. Class I
c. Class III

b. Class II
d. Class IV

Answer: c (p. 13)

Explanation
Class I devices are low risk devices and they are subjected to general control.
Class II devices are to meet performance standards established by FDA or
appropriate standards from other authoritative bodies, such as ADA. Class
III is the most stringent category which requires that the devices be approved
for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed. All implanted and lifesupporting devices are placed under this category.
8. The subcommittee under ISO TC 106 which deals with dental
instruments is
a. TC 106/SC 1
c. TC 106/SC 3

b. TC 106/SC 2
d. TC 106/SC 4

Answer: d (p. 15)

Explanation
The SC 1 is for lling and restorative material, SC 2 for prosthodontic
materials, SC 3 for terminology, SC 6 for dental equipment, SC 7 for oral
hygiene products and SC 8 for dental implants.

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MCQs IN DENTAL MATERIALS

9. The CE marking on the product label denotes that it is

a. Certied and of excellent quality
b. European mark of conformity with the essential requirements for that
product
c. Ethiopian certication of quality
d. American mark of conformity with the essential requirements for that
product
Answer: b (p. 17)
Explanation
From 1st January 1995, all the medical devices marketed in the European
Union were mandated to carry the CE mark as conformity with the essential
requirements set by the medical device directive.

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