National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and detailed explanations. Achieve success in your exam!

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What are narrow 'slit-like' areas of gingival recession over the roots of teeth called?

  1. Fissures

  2. Clefts

  3. Cavities

  4. Grooves

The correct answer is: Clefts

Gingival recession refers to the process of gums shrinking and moving away from the teeth, exposing more of the root surface. These narrow 'slit-like' areas of recession are called clefts. Fissures are narrow cracks or grooves in the surface of a tooth, typically present in molars. Cavities are small holes or decay in the teeth and do not refer to gum tissue. Grooves are shallow lines or furrows in the surface of the tooth, typically found on the chewing surface of molars. Therefore, the only option that accurately describes the narrow 'slit-like' areas of gingival recession is clefts.