EFDA Orthodontic Procedures & Appliances 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of placing orthodontic separators (spacers) before banding?
- To create space between teeth for band placement (Correct answer)
- To whiten the teeth before treatment begins
- To measure tooth mobility prior to banding
- To apply topical fluoride to interproximal surfaces
Correct answer: To create space between teeth for band placement
Separators are placed 3–7 days before banding to push adjacent teeth apart, creating enough interproximal space to seat orthodontic bands.
Question 2: Which instrument is primarily used to fully seat orthodontic bands onto molar teeth?
- Explorer and mouth mirror
- Band pusher and bite stick (Correct answer)
- Scaler and Gracey curette
- Amalgam plugger and condenser
Correct answer: Band pusher and bite stick
A band pusher seats the band below the contact area, and the patient bites on a bite stick to fully drive the band to its final position on the tooth.
Question 3: Which cement is most commonly used for cementation of orthodontic bands?
- Zinc oxide eugenol
- Composite resin
- Glass ionomer cement (Correct answer)
- Calcium hydroxide liner
Correct answer: Glass ionomer cement
Glass ionomer cement is preferred for orthodontic band cementation because it bonds chemically to enamel and releases fluoride, helping prevent decalcification under bands.
Question 4: What is the primary function of an arch wire in a fixed orthodontic appliance?
- To cement orthodontic bands to molar teeth
- To apply forces that guide and move teeth along a prescribed path (Correct answer)
- To take a registration of the dental arch before treatment
- To secure the removable retainer in place
Correct answer: To apply forces that guide and move teeth along a prescribed path
Arch wires transmit forces through brackets and bands, directing tooth movement to correct malalignment and malocclusion along the treatment plan.
Question 5: Which type of orthodontic attachment is bonded directly to the facial surface of a tooth using dental adhesive?
- Orthodontic band
- Molar buccal tube
- Lingual retainer
- Direct-bonded bracket (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Direct-bonded bracket
Direct-bonded brackets are attached to the enamel surface with adhesive resin rather than being cemented around the entire tooth like bands, allowing precise bracket placement.
Question 6: In Angle's classification system, Class II malocclusion is characterized by which molar relationship?
- Normal molar relationship with the mesiobuccal cusp of the upper first molar in the buccal groove of the lower
- Mesial position of the mandibular dentition relative to the maxillary dentition
- Distal position of the mandibular dentition relative to the maxillary dentition (Correct answer)
- Complete absence of posterior occlusal contact in any position
Correct answer: Distal position of the mandibular dentition relative to the maxillary dentition
In Class II, the mandibular arch is in a distal relationship to the maxilla, so the mesiobuccal cusp of the maxillary first molar occludes anterior to the buccal groove of the mandibular first molar.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of wearing a retainer after active orthodontic treatment is completed?
- To continue moving teeth into even better final positions
- To maintain corrected tooth positions and prevent relapse (Correct answer)
- To temporarily replace missing posterior teeth during retention
- To bleach and whiten teeth after bracket removal
Correct answer: To maintain corrected tooth positions and prevent relapse
Retainers hold teeth in their corrected positions while surrounding alveolar bone and periodontal fibers reorganize and stabilize, preventing teeth from returning to their original positions.
EFDA Orthodontic Procedures & Appliances 1
What is the primary purpose of placing orthodontic separators (spacers) before banding?