Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

What is the term used for vertical clefting of bone?

1. Osteoporosis

2. Dehiscence

3. Mandiubular Resorption

4. Periodontitis

The correct answer is: Dehiscence

The term used for vertical clefting of bone is dehiscence. This refers to a condition where there is a loss of periodontal tissue at the root surface of a tooth, leading to the formation of a bony defect that can appear as a cleft in the bone. This phenomenon often occurs in the context of periodontal disease or can be associated with surgical procedures or anatomical variations. Understanding this term is crucial in dental practice as it relates to the evaluation of periodontal health and the planning of surgical interventions. In contrast, osteoporosis refers to a systemic condition characterized by decreased bone density and increased fracture risk, rather than a specific localized clefting of bone. Mandibular resorption generally describes the loss of bone material in the mandible, often due to factors such as tooth loss or chronic inflammation, but does not specifically imply a cleft. Periodontitis is an inflammatory response affecting the supporting structures of teeth, leading to the loss of periodontal attachment, which can involve several kinds of bone loss but is not explicitly defined as vertical clefting of bone.