National Board Dental Examination / Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE) Restorative, Endodontic, and Prosthodontic Dentistry Syllabus

Restorative, Endodontic, and Prosthodontic Dentistry syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Restorative, Endodontic, and Prosthodontic Dentistry in National Board Dental Examination / Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Dental Materials Science

   4 topics

   • Physical and mechanical properties of materials
   • Direct restorative materials
     • Composite resins and bonding systems
     • Dental amalgam and glass ionomers
   • Indirect materials: ceramics, metals, and cements
   • Impression materials and gypsum products
2. 2

   Operative and Restorative Dentistry

   4 topics

   • Cavity classification and preparation principles
     • G.V. Black classification
     • Minimally invasive preparation design
   • Caries excavation and pulp protection
   • Direct restoration placement and finishing
   • Isolation, matrices, and moisture control
3. 3

   Endodontics

   5 topics

   • Pulpal and periradicular diagnosis
   • Root canal anatomy and access cavity design
   • Cleaning, shaping, and obturation
     • Working length and instrumentation
     • Irrigation and intracanal medicaments
   • Endodontic emergencies and retreatment
   • Vital pulp therapy and apexification
4. 4

   Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics

   4 topics

   • Crown and fixed partial denture principles
     • Tooth preparation for full and partial coverage
     • Provisionalization and cementation
   • Removable partial denture design
     • Kennedy classification and components
     • Rests, retainers, and connectors
   • Complete denture fabrication and occlusion
   • Implant prosthodontics fundamentals
5. 5

   Occlusion and Temporomandibular Disorders

   3 topics

   • Concepts of functional and balanced occlusion
   • Centric relation, centric occlusion, and articulation
   • Temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain
     • Myofascial pain and disc displacement
     • Occlusal appliances and management

Restorative, Endodontic, and Prosthodontic Dentistry flashcards for National Board Dental Examination / Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE)

23 of 50 cards from the Restorative, Endodontic, and Prosthodontic Dentistry deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the difference between elastic modulus (Young's modulus) and a material's strength?

   Elastic modulus measures stiffness (resistance to elastic deformation, stress/strain in the elastic region) and is independent of strength. Strength is the stress at which a material fails or permanently deforms. A material can be stiff but weak, or flexible but strong.

2. Define the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and why matching it matters in restorative dentistry.

   CTE is the change in length per unit length per degree temperature change. A restorative material's CTE should closely match tooth structure; large mismatches cause percolation/microleakage at the margins during temperature changes.

3. What is galvanic shock and what causes it?

   A sharp pain caused by an electric current generated when two dissimilar metals (e.g., a new amalgam restoration contacting a gold crown) create a galvanic cell in the oral cavity with saliva as the electrolyte.

4. Distinguish hardness, toughness, and brittleness.

   Hardness = resistance to indentation/scratching. Toughness = energy absorbed before fracture (area under stress-strain curve). Brittleness = fracture with little or no plastic deformation. Ceramics are hard and brittle; metals are tougher.

5. What is creep in dental amalgam and why is it clinically undesirable?

   Creep is time-dependent plastic deformation under constant load. High creep (associated with high-copper deficiency / gamma-2 phase) leads to marginal breakdown and ditching of amalgam restorations.

6. Why are high-copper amalgams superior to low-copper (conventional) amalgams?

   High-copper amalgams eliminate the weak, corrosion-prone gamma-2 (tin-mercury, Sn7Hg) phase by forming copper-tin (eta, Cu6Sn5) instead, giving higher strength, less creep, less corrosion, and better marginal integrity.

7. What are the three main components of resin composite and the function of the coupling agent?

   Components: organic resin matrix (e.g., Bis-GMA, UDMA, TEGDMA), inorganic filler particles, and a silane coupling agent. Silane bonds filler to matrix, transferring stress and improving strength and wear resistance.

8. What is polymerization shrinkage in composites and how is its stress clinically minimized?

   Volumetric contraction (~2-5%) as monomers convert to polymer, which can cause marginal gaps and postoperative sensitivity. Minimized by incremental layering, proper C-factor management, and adequate enamel bonding.

9. What is the C-factor (configuration factor) and how does it affect composite restorations?

   C-factor = ratio of bonded surfaces to unbonded (free) surfaces. A high C-factor (e.g., Class I cavity, 5) concentrates polymerization shrinkage stress and increases risk of debonding/gap formation.

10. How does glass ionomer cement bond to tooth structure and what is its key therapeutic property?

    It bonds chemically (ionic) via carboxyl groups chelating calcium in enamel/dentin, requiring no separate bonding agent. Its key property is sustained fluoride release (anticariogenic).

11. Compare conventional glass ionomer with resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI).

    RMGI adds resin monomers (HEMA) allowing light-cure setting plus the acid-base reaction. RMGI has better strength, lower solubility, and reduced early moisture sensitivity than conventional GIC, while retaining fluoride release.

12. What is the difference between feldspathic porcelain, leucite-reinforced, and lithium disilicate ceramics in terms of strength and esthetics?

    Feldspathic: best esthetics, lowest strength (~70 MPa). Leucite-reinforced (e.g., Empress): moderate strength (~120 MPa). Lithium disilicate (e.g., e.max): higher strength (~360-400 MPa) with good esthetics.

13. Why is zirconia used for posterior crowns and what is its esthetic limitation?

    Zirconia (yttria-stabilized) has very high flexural strength (~900-1200 MPa) and fracture toughness via transformation toughening, ideal for high-stress posterior restorations. Limitation: it is more opaque/less translucent than glass ceramics.

14. What is the purpose of luting cements, and how do resin cements differ from conventional cements for indirect restorations?

    Luting cements bond indirect restorations to tooth structure. Resin cements provide higher bond strength, lower solubility, and are required for bonding ceramics/veneers; conventional cements (zinc phosphate, GIC) rely more on mechanical retention.

15. Classify impression materials as elastic vs inelastic and give examples.

    Elastic: hydrocolloids (alginate, agar) and elastomers (polysulfide, condensation/addition silicone, polyether) - used for undercuts. Inelastic: impression plaster, impression compound, zinc oxide eugenol, waxes.

16. Which elastomeric impression material is most hydrophilic and best for capturing detail in moisture, and which is most accurate/dimensionally stable?

    Polyether is the most hydrophilic. Addition silicone (polyvinyl siloxane, PVS) is the most dimensionally stable and accurate, with excellent elastic recovery; it can be poured days later.

17. What is the difference between Type I (snap-set) and Type II (regular-set) gypsum, and how do plaster, stone, and die stone differ?

    Plaster (Type II), dental stone (Type III), and high-strength die stone (Type IV) differ by particle shape/porosity of the calcined calcium sulfate hemihydrate. Lower W/P ratio yields denser, stronger gypsum: die stone is strongest for working casts.

18. What chemical reaction governs the setting of gypsum products?

    Calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CaSO4·½H2O) reacts with water to re-form calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O), an exothermic reaction with slight setting expansion.

19. State G.V. Black's cavity classification (Classes I-VI).

    Class I: pits/fissures (occlusal, buccal/lingual pits). Class II: proximal of posterior teeth. Class III: proximal of anterior teeth (no incisal angle). Class IV: proximal of anterior teeth involving incisal angle. Class V: gingival/cervical third. Class VI: incisal edges/cusp tips.

20. What are the principles of cavity preparation outlined by G.V. Black?

    Outline form, resistance form, retention form, convenience form, removal of remaining caries, finishing of enamel walls/margins, and toilet (cleansing) of the cavity preparation.

21. Differentiate resistance form and retention form in cavity preparation.

    Resistance form enables the restoration and tooth to withstand occlusal forces without fracture (e.g., flat pulpal floor, rounded internal line angles). Retention form prevents displacement/dislodgement of the restoration (e.g., parallel walls, dovetails, undercuts).

22. How does cavity preparation design differ between amalgam and composite restorations?

    Amalgam requires mechanical retention (undercuts, 90-degree cavosurface margins, defined internal form) since it doesn't bond. Composite allows more conservative, retentive bonding so preparations follow caries extent with beveled enamel margins and no need for undercuts.

23. What is the difference between affected and infected dentin in caries excavation?

    Infected dentin is irreversibly demineralized, bacteria-laden, and soft - it must be removed. Affected dentin is demineralized but not bacterially invaded, remineralizable, and should be preserved especially near the pulp.

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