Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a key consideration when preparing a tooth for a porcelain crown?

1. The angle of the tooth preparation

2. Color matching with adjacent teeth

3. Type of dental cement used

4. Presence of a dental dam during preparation

The correct answer is: The angle of the tooth preparation

When preparing a tooth for a porcelain crown, the angle of the tooth preparation is crucial. Proper angulation allows for the optimal retention and support of the crown. It helps to ensure that the crown can be seated properly and is more resistant to dislodgement during function. The preparation must also account for the path of insertion, which is influenced by the angles created by the bur during the shaping of the tooth structure. Achieving the correct taper and convergence is vital to provide a stable fit for the crown, ensuring both aesthetic and functional success. While other factors such as color matching, the type of dental cement, and the use of a dental dam are important in the overall process of crown placement and the aesthetic outcome, they do not directly impact the mechanical properties of the tooth preparation itself. Color matching focuses on the aesthetic aspect post-preparation, the dental cement is more about the final cementation process, and the dental dam is used primarily for moisture control during the procedure, rather than for the preparation of the tooth itself.