Oral Surgery · single question
Roots of two teeth that are joined by cementum (cementum-to-cementum fusion) are BEST described as:
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Correct answer: A. Concrescence
- A. Correct. CONCRESCENCE is the union of two adjacent teeth through their CEMENTUM only (the dentin and pulp remain separate). It occurs after root formation is complete, often due to crowding or hypercementosis. It is distinct from fusion (where dentin is also united) and from gemination (attempt to divide one tooth bud).
- B. DILACERATION = an abrupt bend/curve in the root or crown due to trauma during development.
- C. FUSION = union of dentin (and sometimes pulp) from two adjacent teeth buds — occurs during development.
- D. GEMINATION = one tooth bud attempts to divide, resulting in a tooth with two crowns sharing one root/pulp — total tooth count remains normal.