1. The most accurate, reliable and reproductible method of determining pulp vitality is

(A) Electric pulp testing
(B) Radiograph
(C) Laser Doppler Flowmetry
(D) Heat test

Answer: option-C

Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) is the most accurate, reliable, and reproducible method for determining pulp vitality because it directly measures blood flow in the pulp tissue.

Since pulp vitality is determined by the presence of blood supply, LDF provides real-time information about vascular integrity rather than just neural responses.

How It Works:

• A low-power laser beam is directed at the tooth.
• Moving red blood cells in the pulp cause a Doppler shift in the reflected light.
• The reflected light is analyzed to detect and quantify the blood flow, indicating pulp vitality.

Advantages of LDF:

• Non-invasive and painless.
• High sensitivity and specificity.
• Useful in cases where traditional tests may give false results, such as:
  1. Traumatized teeth.
  2. Young permanent teeth with open apices.

2. Who said that the mandible is a group of microskeletal units ?

(A) Van Limborgh
(B) Melvin Moss
(C) Petrovic
(D) Enlow

Answer: option-B

Melvin L. Moss introduced the Functional Matrix Theory (1962), which proposed that the growth of the craniofacial skeleton, including the mandible, is controlled by functional demands and associated soft tissues.

He described the mandible as a group of “microskeletal units” that grow and adapt based on the functional matrix surrounding them.

Microskeletal Units Concept:

Each microskeletal unit responds to local functional demands.

These units include:

• Alveolar unit
• Condylar unit
• Coronoid unit
• Basal bone unit

3. In males, the maxillary intercanine width may continue to increase till what age?

(A)  9 years
(B) 12 years
(C) 14 years
(D) 18 years

Answer: option-D

In males, the maxillary intercanine width may continue to increase until approximately 18 years of age due to:

• Late transverse growth in the maxilla.
• Alveolar remodeling and dental changes.

Intercanine width increases significantly during the early mixed dentition phase but can continue to exhibit slow, steady growth in males during adolescence, extending up to late teens.