NEET MDS Conservative Dentistry Syllabus

Conservative Dentistry syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Conservative Dentistry in NEET MDS, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Introduction to Conservative Dentistry

   2 topics

   • Definition and Scope
     • History and Evolution
     • Principles and Objectives
   • Dental Anatomy and Physiology
     • Tooth Morphology
     • Dental Tissues
     • Pulp and Periapical Tissue
2. 2

   Dental Caries

   3 topics

   • Etiology and Pathogenesis
     • Microbial Factors
     • Host Factors
     • Dietary Factors
   • Diagnosis and Detection
     • Clinical Examination
     • Radiographic Techniques
     • Advanced Diagnostic Tools
   • Prevention and Management
     • Fluoride Therapy
     • Sealants
     • Dietary Counseling
3. 3

   Restorative Materials

   2 topics

   • Types of Materials
     • Amalgam
     • Composite Resins
     • Glass Ionomer Cements
     • Ceramics
   • Properties and Manipulation
     • Physical Properties
     • Biocompatibility
     • Handling Techniques
4. 4

   Cavity Preparation

   3 topics

   • Principles of Cavity Design
     • Outline Form
     • Resistance Form
     • Retention Form
     • Convenience Form
   • Steps in Cavity Preparation
     • Initial Preparation
     • Final Preparation
   • Instrumentation
     • Hand Instruments
     • Rotary Instruments
     • Lasers in Cavity Preparation
5. 5

   Direct Restorations

   3 topics

   • Amalgam Restorations
     • Indications and Contraindications
     • Clinical Procedure
     • Postoperative Care
   • Composite Restorations
     • Indications and Contraindications
     • Clinical Procedure
     • Finishing and Polishing
   • Glass Ionomer Restorations
     • Indications and Contraindications
     • Clinical Procedure
     • Advantages and Disadvantages
6. 6

   Indirect Restorations

   3 topics

   • Inlays and Onlays
     • Indications and Contraindications
     • Materials Used
     • Clinical Procedure
   • Crowns
     • Types of Crowns
     • Clinical Procedure
     • Cementation
   • Veneers
     • Indications and Contraindications
     • Materials Used
     • Clinical Procedure
7. 7

   Endodontics

   3 topics

   • Pulpal and Periapical Diseases
     • Etiology and Classification
     • Clinical Features
     • Diagnostic Methods
   • Root Canal Treatment
     • Principles and Objectives
     • Instrumentation Techniques
     • Obturation Techniques
   • Endodontic Emergencies
     • Diagnosis and Management
     • Pain Control
     • Management of Flare-ups
8. 8

   Aesthetic Dentistry

   3 topics

   • Principles of Aesthetic Dentistry
     • Smile Design
     • Tooth Shade Selection
   • Bleaching Techniques
     • In-office Bleaching
     • At-home Bleaching
     • Side Effects and Management
   • Aesthetic Restorations
     • Composite Bonding
     • Porcelain Veneers
     • Ceramic Crowns
9. 9

   Trauma Management

   3 topics

   • Classification of Dental Injuries
     • Crown Fractures
     • Root Fractures
     • Luxation Injuries
   • Emergency Management
     • Initial Assessment
     • Immediate Treatment
   • Long-term Management
     • Follow-up Protocol
     • Complications and Their Management
10. 10

    Lasers in Conservative Dentistry

    3 topics

    • Types of Lasers
      • Soft Tissue Lasers
      • Hard Tissue Lasers
    • Applications in Dentistry
      • Cavity Preparation
      • Soft Tissue Management
      • Endodontic Procedures
    • Advantages and Limitations
      • Clinical Benefits
      • Potential Drawbacks
11. 11

    Recent Advances in Conservative Dentistry

    3 topics

    • Biomimetic Materials
      • Definition and Types
      • Clinical Applications
    • Digital Dentistry
      • CAD/CAM Technology
      • 3D Printing
    • Regenerative Endodontics
      • Stem Cell Therapy
      • Tissue Engineering

Conservative Dentistry flashcards for NEET MDS

25 of 55 cards from the Conservative Dentistry deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the scope of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics?

   It is the branch of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases/defects of teeth, restoring form, function, and esthetics while preserving maximum sound tooth structure; it includes restorative dentistry, endodontics, and esthetic dentistry.

2. Define a dental restoration.

   A restoration is the replacement of lost tooth structure with a material to re-establish the tooth's form, function, integrity, and esthetics.

3. Name the four principal tissues of a tooth.

   Enamel, dentin, cementum, and pulp (the first three are hard tissues; pulp is the soft connective tissue core).

4. What is the mineral content of enamel, dentin, and cementum by weight?

   Enamel ~96% inorganic; dentin ~70% inorganic; cementum ~50% inorganic (rest is organic matrix and water).

5. What is the basic structural unit of enamel and its shape?

   The enamel rod (prism), keyhole-shaped, made of hydroxyapatite crystals, running from the dentinoenamel junction to the enamel surface.

6. What are dentinal tubules and what do they contain?

   Microscopic S-shaped channels running from the pulp to the DEJ; they contain odontoblastic processes and dentinal fluid, and transmit stimuli (basis of dentin sensitivity).

7. State the hydrodynamic theory of dentin sensitivity.

   Stimuli cause movement of fluid within dentinal tubules, which deforms/stimulates the odontoblast-nerve complex at the pulpal end, producing the sensation of pain.

8. What is the primary etiologic agent of dental caries?

   Acid produced by cariogenic bacteria (chiefly Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli) fermenting dietary carbohydrates, demineralizing tooth structure.

9. Name the four factors of Keyes' (modified) caries etiology model.

   Host/tooth, microorganisms (plaque bacteria), substrate (fermentable carbohydrate), and time.

10. At what critical pH does enamel begin to demineralize?

    Approximately pH 5.5 for enamel (and around 6.2 for dentin/root surfaces).

11. What is the earliest clinical sign of enamel caries?

    The white spot lesion — an area of subsurface demineralization with an intact surface, appearing as a chalky white opacity.

12. List the zones of an enamel caries lesion from deepest to surface.

    Translucent zone (advancing front), dark zone, body of the lesion (largest demineralization), and surface zone (relatively intact).

13. What does ICDAS stand for and what is its purpose?

    International Caries Detection and Assessment System — a visual scoring system (codes 0–6) for detecting and grading caries severity.

14. What detection aids supplement visual-tactile caries diagnosis?

    Bitewing radiographs, fiber-optic transillumination (FOTI), laser fluorescence (DIAGNOdent), and electronic caries monitors.

15. How does fluoride prevent caries?

    It promotes remineralization, forms fluorapatite (more acid-resistant), and inhibits bacterial enolase/metabolism, reducing acid production.

16. What is minimally invasive (minimal intervention) dentistry?

    A philosophy emphasizing prevention, remineralization of early lesions, and removal of only diseased tissue to conserve maximum sound tooth structure.

17. Classify direct restorative materials.

    Amalgam, composite resin, glass ionomer cement (GIC), resin-modified GIC, and compomers — all placed and set directly in the cavity.

18. What is the composition of dental amalgam?

    An alloy of mercury with a silver-tin alloy powder (Ag, Sn, Cu, sometimes Zn); high-copper alloys are now standard.

19. Why are high-copper amalgams superior to low-copper amalgams?

    They eliminate/reduce the weak, corrosion-prone gamma-2 (Sn-Hg) phase, giving better strength, less creep, and reduced marginal breakdown.

20. What is the principal organic matrix monomer in most composite resins?

    Bis-GMA (bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate), often with diluents such as TEGDMA; UDMA is also used.

21. What is the role of the silane coupling agent in composites?

    It chemically bonds the inorganic filler particles to the organic resin matrix, improving strength and preventing filler dislodgement.

22. What is polymerization shrinkage and why does it matter?

    The volumetric contraction (~2–5%) of resin composite during curing; it creates stress that can cause marginal gaps, microleakage, and postoperative sensitivity.

23. What is the C-factor (configuration factor)?

    The ratio of bonded to unbonded (free) surfaces in a cavity; a higher C-factor means greater polymerization shrinkage stress on the bond.

24. State the setting reaction type of conventional glass ionomer cement.

    An acid-base reaction between fluoroaluminosilicate glass powder and polyacrylic acid liquid, forming a cross-linked polysalt matrix.

25. Name two key advantages of glass ionomer cement.

    Chemical (true) adhesion to tooth structure and sustained fluoride release (anticariogenic); also biocompatible with a thermal expansion similar to tooth.

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