INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) Practice Exam

How does an ankylosed tooth sound when tapped?

1. Hollow

2. Solid

3. High-pitched

4. No specific sound

The correct answer is: Hollow

An ankylosed tooth is a condition where the tooth is fused to the bone, limiting its mobility. When tapped, an ankylosed tooth would produce a hollow sound. This is because the fusion of the tooth to the bone creates a rigid structure, preventing air from being trapped inside and producing a solid or high-pitched sound. Additionally, the absence of mobility in an ankylosed tooth would also contribute to the absence of a specific sound. Therefore, A is the correct answer while B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the sound produced by an ankylosed tooth.