MFDS Part 1 - Membership of Faculty of Dental Surgery Restorative and Adhesive Dentistry Questions and Answers

Question 1

In line with the UK's implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the use of dental amalgam is restricted.
In which of the following patient groups is the use of dental amalgam prohibited, except where deemed strictly necessary by the practitioner for the specific medical needs of the patient?

Accepted Answer

Children under 15 years of age, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Answer

Patients with a known allergy to base metals.

Answer

Adult patients over the age of 65 requiring multi-surface posterior restorations.

Answer

Patients undergoing fixed orthodontic appliance therapy.

Question 2

A dentist is preparing to permanently cement a lithium disilicate onlay. To achieve a strong and durable adhesive bond, what is the mandatory surface pre-treatment for the intaglio (fitting) surface of this specific type of ceramic restoration before applying a silane coupling agent?

Accepted Answer

Etching with approximately 5% hydrofluoric acid for 20 seconds.

Answer

Sandblasting with 50-micron aluminium oxide particles.

Answer

Etching with 37% phosphoric acid for 60 seconds.

Answer

Cleaning with a sodium hypochlorite solution.

Question 3

A 24-year-old patient presents with a deep carious lesion in the mandibular first molar (LR6). The tooth is asymptomatic and responds normally to sensibility testing. A radiograph shows the lesion extending into the pulpal third of the dentine. According to contemporary minimally invasive dentistry principles widely accepted in the UK, what is the most appropriate management for the deepest part of the cavity?

Accepted Answer

Selective removal of caries to leave firm, leathery dentine in the pulpal aspect, having secured a peripheral seal on sound dentine.

Answer

Complete removal of all caries until 'hard' or 'scratchy' dentine is felt over the pulp.

Answer

Selective removal of caries, leaving soft, wet, necrotic dentine directly over the pulp to avoid exposure.

Answer

Immediate placement of a calcium hydroxide liner without any caries excavation to promote pulpal healing.

Question 4

A conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) is selected for a Class V restoration. Which of the following statements most accurately describes the primary bonding mechanism of this material to tooth structure?

Accepted Answer

It sets via an acid-base reaction and forms a true chemical bond through ionic exchange.

Answer

It forms a micromechanical bond via a resin-infiltrated hybrid layer.

Answer

It requires a separate phosphoric acid etchant and a bonding agent to adhere.

Answer

It relies solely on mechanical undercuts in the cavity preparation for retention.

Question 5

When planning a full coverage crown for a root-filled molar, which of the following factors is considered most critical for the long-term prognosis and fracture resistance of the tooth?

Accepted Answer

The presence of a circumferential ferrule of 1.5-2.0 mm of sound tooth structure.

Answer

The type of luting cement used for the crown.

Answer

The length and diameter of the post placed within the root canal.

Answer

The use of a resin-modified glass ionomer core material.

Question 6

A dentist is restoring a shallow Class V abrasion lesion with composite resin in a patient who reports significant dentine hypersensitivity. To minimise the risk of post-operative sensitivity, which adhesive strategy is generally considered most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A two-step self-etch adhesive system (self-etching primer and bond).

Answer

A three-step total-etch (etch-and-rinse) adhesive system.

Answer

A one-step self-etch adhesive system applied in a single layer.

Answer

A selective-enamel etch technique followed by application of a one-step self-etch adhesive.