Dental Materials Practice Questions
Dental materials questions reward understanding properties rather than memorising brand names. This set covers mechanical properties such as elastic modulus and toughness, setting reactions and dimensional change, gypsum products, impression materials, cements, dental ceramics, metal alloys, polymers and denture base materials, CAD/CAM and digital workflow materials, and biocompatibility. Board exams including the AFK, INBDE, ORE and ADC use these topics in two ways: direct property comparisons, and clinical scenarios in which a poor material choice or handling error explains a failed restoration or distorted impression. Dental students will recognise most topics from preclinical materials courses.
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Questions
Question 1 of 10
Setting Reactions & Dimensional Change
Which setting reaction or dimensional behavior is characterized by the following feature: resin expands more than adjacent enamel?
The answer is A.
High composite expansion mismatch is identified by this defining material-science feature: it resin expands more than adjacent enamel. This feature distinguishes the answer from the other listed materials or processes. Dimensional stability therefore depends on both reaction chemistry and the constraints present while the material sets.
Question 2 of 10
Biocompatibility Principles
Which biocompatibility concept is characterized by the following feature: unreacted methyl methacrylate can diffuse from resin?
The answer is B.
Residual acrylic monomer is identified by this defining material-science feature: it unreacted methyl methacrylate can diffuse from resin. This feature distinguishes the answer from the other listed materials or processes. Clinical risk. Clinical.
Question 3 of 10
Impression Materials
Which impression material is characterized by the following feature: polymerizes without a volatile condensation product?
The answer is D.
Addition silicone elastomer is identified by this defining material-science feature: it polymerizes without a volatile condensation product. This feature distinguishes the answer from the other listed materials or processes. Accurate casts. Accur.
Question 4 of 10
Dental Ceramics
Which ceramic material or surface treatment is characterized by the following feature: transformation toughening gives high crack resistance?
The answer is A.
Three-mol-percent yttria zirconia is identified by this defining material-science feature: it transformation toughening gives high crack resistance. This feature distinguishes the answer from the other listed materials or processes. Selection must.
Question 5 of 10
Mechanical Properties
Which mechanical property is represented by the slope of the elastic portion of a stress–strain curve?
The answer is C.
Elastic modulus is the ratio of stress to strain within the linear elastic region. A steep slope indicates a stiff material that deforms little under load, whereas strength values describe the stress associated with yielding or failure rather than the rigidity of the elastic response.
Question 6 of 10
Polymers & Denture Base Materials
Which denture-base polymer concept is characterized by the following feature: heated polymer flows into a closed mold under pressure?
The answer is B.
Injection-molded thermoplastic resin is identified by this defining material-science feature: it heated polymer flows into a closed mold under pressure. This feature distinguishes the answer from the other listed materials or processes. Performance.
Question 7 of 10
CAD/CAM & Digital Workflow Materials
Which digital material or workflow step is characterized by the following feature: industrial curing lowers residual monomer and porosity?
The answer is B.
Milled prepolymerized PMMA disk is identified by this defining material-science feature: it industrial curing lowers residual monomer and porosity. This feature distinguishes the answer from the other listed materials or processes. Accuracy. Accu.
Question 8 of 10
Cements
Which property of conventional glass ionomer cement most supports its selection as a luting agent for a patient at high caries risk?
The answer is D.
Conventional GIC's sustained fluoride release provides an anticariogenic benefit at the restoration margin, making it favorable for high-caries-risk patients as a luting agent.
Question 9 of 10
Gypsum Products
Which gypsum product or manipulation is characterized by the following feature: porous beta-hemihydrate requires more mixing water?
The answer is B.
Type II model plaster is identified by this defining material-science feature: it porous beta-hemihydrate requires more mixing water. This feature distinguishes the answer from the other listed materials or processes. The final cast property therefore reflects crystal nucleation and growth as well as the amount of excess gauging water.
Question 10 of 10
Metal Alloys
Which component of dental amalgam is primarily responsible for its early strength (strength at 1 hour after setting)?
The answer is D.
High-copper amalgam alloys (copper content >6%) form the Cu6Sn5 (eta phase) reaction product, which replaces the weak gamma-2 phase (Sn8Hg). This elimination of the gamma-2 phase is directly responsible for the significantly improved early and overall strength of modern high-copper amalgams.
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