National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the National Dental Assisting Exam with comprehensive quiz questions, including multiple choice and detailed explanations. Equip yourself for success!

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Which condition is characterized by abnormally large jaws?

  1. Micrognathia

  2. Macrognathia

  3. Oligodontia

  4. Hyperdontia

The correct answer is: Macrognathia

The condition characterized by abnormally large jaws is macrognathia. This term refers to an enlarged jaw or jaws, which can affect the dental occlusion and overall facial appearance. Macrognathia can lead to various orthodontic issues, such as misalignment of teeth and potential difficulties with chewing and speaking. Micrognathia, on the other hand, describes a condition where the jaw is smaller than normal, which is the opposite of macrognathia. Oligodontia refers to the absence of several teeth, while hyperdontia indicates the presence of extra teeth beyond the normal count. Both oligodontia and hyperdontia are related to tooth number rather than jaw size, thereby distinguishing them from macrognathia.