Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

What is the relationship between the clinical symptoms of pain and the diagnosis of cementoblastoma?

1. Pain is absent but requires treatment

2. Pain is associated with expansive growth

3. Pain typically resolves without treatment

4. Pain occurs only during chewing

The correct answer is: Pain is associated with expansive growth

The diagnosis of cementoblastoma is closely linked to the clinical presentation of pain, typically because the condition is associated with expansive growth of a cementum-producing tumor. Cementoblastomas are benign growths that usually arise from the cementum of the tooth roots, and they tend to cause localized pain due to their aggressive nature. As these tumors expand, they can exert pressure on surrounding structures, resulting in discomfort and pain for the patient. This relationship highlights the importance of recognizing the presence of pain as it can serve as a key symptom prompting further investigation and definitive diagnosis. In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the relationship between pain and cementoblastoma. For example, pain being absent but requiring treatment does not apply because while pain may fluctuate, it is typically present and linked to the tumor's activity. Similarly, the idea that pain resolves without treatment does not align with the nature of cementoblastomas, as they generally do not improve without intervention. Lastly, the notion that pain occurs only during chewing is too restrictive, as patients may experience discomfort at other times as well, not limited to chewing activities.