100+ Free AVDC Veterinary Dentistry Practice Questions

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Variable year to year; AVDC publishes annual examination statistics Pass Rate

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Question 1

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How many permanent (adult) teeth does a dog have?

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: AVDC Veterinary Dentistry Exam

100

FREE Practice Qs

OpenExamPrep AVDC Veterinary Dentistry bank

Multi-day

Exam Length

Written, practical, case-based, and oral components

~12%

Endodontics Weight

Tied with periodontology as the largest domains

~$2,000-$3,000

2026 Exam Fee

AVDC (verify current schedule)

3 yr

Approved Residency

AVDC-approved residency pathway (typical duration)

First-Author Publications

AVDC peer-reviewed publication requirement

The AVDC Certifying Examination is a multi-day, multi-component board test (written multiple-choice, practical, case-based, and oral) administered annually by the American Veterinary Dental College. Content spans endodontics (~12%), periodontology (~12%), dental anatomy/Triadan (~10%), exodontia (~9%), imaging (~8%), feline dentistry (~8%), oral and maxillofacial surgery (~7%), oral examination/charting (~6%), anesthesia/analgesia (~6%), equine (~6%), orthodontics (~5%), restorative (~5%), exotics (~4%), TMJ/fractures (~3%), and materials/pharmacology (~2%). Fee is ~$2,000-$3,000; requires an AVDC-approved training pathway plus peer-reviewed publications.

Sample AVDC Veterinary Dentistry Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your AVDC Veterinary Dentistry exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1How many permanent (adult) teeth does a dog have?

A.30

B.42

C.28

D.44

Explanation: The adult dog has 42 permanent teeth (dental formula 2x[I3/3, C1/1, P4/4, M2/3]). Puppies have 28 deciduous teeth (no molars — molars erupt only as permanent). Cats, by contrast, have 30 permanent and 26 deciduous teeth.

2Under the modified Triadan system, which tooth is the maxillary right fourth premolar (upper carnassial) in the dog?

A.108

B.208

C.409

D.309

Explanation: Triadan assigns 100s to maxillary right, 200s to maxillary left, 300s to mandibular left, and 400s to mandibular right. The maxillary fourth premolar (PM4) is 08 in the quadrant, so upper right PM4 = 108. The mandibular first molar (M1, lower carnassial) is 309 / 409.

3Which Triadan range designates deciduous teeth?

A.100-400

B.900-1000

C.500-800

D.010-040

Explanation: Deciduous teeth are numbered 500 (upper right), 600 (upper left), 700 (lower left), 800 (lower right). Permanent teeth use 100-400. Example: deciduous upper right canine = 504; permanent upper right canine = 104.

4How many teeth does an adult cat have, and which tooth group is absent?

A.30 teeth; maxillary first premolar is absent

B.42 teeth; no absence

C.28 teeth; molars are absent

D.30 teeth; mandibular second molar is absent

Explanation: Cats have 30 permanent teeth: 2x[I3/3, C1/1, P3/2, M1/1]. Cats lack the maxillary first premolar (107/207) and both mandibular first and second premolars — P1 and P2 compared to dogs. Deciduous count is 26.

5The carnassial teeth in the dog are which pair?

A.Maxillary P4 (108/208) and mandibular M1 (309/409)

B.Maxillary M1 and mandibular P4

C.Maxillary and mandibular canines

D.Maxillary P3 and mandibular P3

Explanation: The carnassial (shearing) teeth are the upper fourth premolar (108/208) and lower first molar (309/409). Complicated fractures of the upper carnassial are among the most common endodontic problems in dogs.

6Which hard dental tissue is the most mineralized and avascular?

A.Dentin

B.Cementum

C.Enamel

D.Pulp

Explanation: Enamel is ~96% mineral (hydroxyapatite) — the hardest and most mineralized tissue in the body. It is acellular and avascular; once damaged it cannot regenerate. Dentin is ~70% mineral, cementum ~50%, and pulp is soft connective tissue containing vessels and nerves.

7The periodontium consists of which four structures?

A.Enamel, dentin, cementum, pulp

B.Gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, alveolar bone

C.Mucosa, submucosa, muscle, bone

D.Crown, neck, root, apex

Explanation: The periodontium — the tooth's supporting apparatus — comprises gingiva, periodontal ligament (PDL), cementum, and alveolar bone. Periodontal disease is destruction of these structures; gingivitis (gingiva only) is reversible, whereas periodontitis (PDL/bone/cementum) is not.

8How many permanent teeth does a horse typically have, including the presence of wolf teeth and canines?

A.Always 44 in all horses

B.Always 40 in both sexes

C.36-44 depending on sex and presence of wolf teeth and canines

D.Always 28

Explanation: Equine dentition is variable: 2x[I3/3, C0-1/0-1, P3-4/3-4, M3/3]. Mares often lack canines (34-36 teeth); geldings/stallions have canines (36-40). Wolf teeth (PM1, Triadan 105/205) are usually vestigial and commonly extracted. Range is 36-44.

9Rabbit teeth are best described as:

A.Brachydont (short-crowned, limited eruption)

B.Elodont (open-rooted, continuously erupting throughout life)

C.Aradicular hypsodont in incisors only

D.Fully replaced twice as in carnivores

Explanation: All rabbit teeth are elodont (aradicular hypsodont) — they erupt continuously throughout life. Malocclusion interrupts normal wear, producing sharp points, spikes, and crown elongation that cause oral soft-tissue trauma and anorexia.

10The dentinal layer formed throughout life in response to normal aging, producing gradual narrowing of the pulp cavity, is:

A.Primary dentin

B.Secondary dentin

C.Tertiary (reparative) dentin

D.Sclerotic dentin

Explanation: Secondary dentin is laid down throughout life by odontoblasts, progressively narrowing the pulp cavity and root canal. Tertiary (reparative/reactionary) dentin is deposited focally in response to injury. Wide pulp cavities on radiographs suggest nonvital (arrested) teeth.

About the AVDC Veterinary Dentistry Exam

The AVDC Veterinary Dentistry Certifying Examination validates core knowledge for independent specialty practice in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery. Content spans endodontics (standard root canal, vital pulp therapy with MTA, surgical endodontics), periodontology (PD stages 1-4, scaling and root planing, flap surgery), dental anatomy with the modified Triadan numbering system, exodontia (simple and surgical extraction, flap design, oronasal fistula repair), dental imaging (intraoral radiography parallel and bisecting angle, CBCT), oral and maxillofacial surgery (mandibulectomy and maxillectomy margins for oral tumors, mandibular fracture repair), oral examination and AVDC charting, anesthesia and regional dental nerve blocks, orthodontics (classes I-IV malocclusion), restorative dentistry (composite, metal crowns for working dogs), feline dentistry (TR type 1/2, FCGS full-mouth extractions), equine dentistry (floating, EOTRH), exotic dentistry (lagomorph/rodent elodont disease), TMJ disorders, and dental materials. Requires an AVDC-approved training pathway and peer-reviewed publications.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Multi-day Certifying Examination (written, practical, case-based, oral)

Passing Score

Criterion-referenced pass standard set by AVDC Examination Committee

Exam Fee

~$2,000-$3,000 Certifying Examination fee (AVDC 2026 — verify current schedule) (American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC))

AVDC Veterinary Dentistry Exam Content Outline

~12%

Endodontics

Standard root canal therapy (access, cleaning/shaping, obturation with gutta-percha and sealer), vital pulp therapy (VPT — direct pulp cap with MTA or bioceramic for recent pulp exposure in young animals with open apex), apexogenesis/apexification, surgical endodontics (apicoectomy, retrograde filling), complicated crown fracture management, non-vital discolored teeth, periapical lucency interpretation.

~12%

Periodontology

Periodontal disease stages 1-4 (PD1 gingivitis, PD2 early periodontitis <25% attachment loss, PD3 moderate 25-50%, PD4 advanced >50%), plaque and calculus biofilm, probing depths, furcation F1/F2/F3, mobility M1/M2/M3, scaling and root planing, closed vs open flap debridement, guided tissue regeneration, chlorhexidine home care.

~10%

Dental Anatomy & Triadan System

Modified Triadan numbering (quadrants 1-4 permanent, 5-8 deciduous; rule of 4 and rule of 9), dental formulas (dog 42 permanent, cat 30 permanent), pulp chamber and root anatomy, deciduous eruption/exfoliation, canine and feline carnassials (108/208 maxillary P4, 409/309 mandibular M1), equine hypsodont anatomy.

~9%

Exodontia

Simple vs surgical extraction technique, mucoperiosteal flap design (envelope, triangular, pedicle), alveoloplasty, sectioning multi-rooted teeth, luxator and elevator technique, retained roots, oronasal fistula prevention and repair, persistent deciduous tooth extraction, postoperative care.

~8%

Feline Dentistry

Tooth resorption — TR type 1 inflammatory (identifiable PDL — complete extraction required), TR type 2 replacement resorption with ankylosis and root disappearance (crown amputation with intentional root retention acceptable when root is radiographically absent), TR type 3 combined; feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) — full mouth or caudal mouth extraction as mainstay; juvenile gingivitis; oral SCC; calicivirus association.

~8%

Dental Imaging & Radiology

Intraoral dental radiography (parallel and bisecting angle technique), full-mouth radiographs, CBCT (cone-beam CT) interpretation, periapical lucency, internal vs external resorption, retained roots, alveolar bone loss, SLOB rule for root identification, sensor/film placement, radiation safety.

~7%

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral tumor management with mandibulectomy and maxillectomy (1-2 cm margins for oral melanoma, SCC, fibrosarcoma; marginal resection for acanthomatous ameloblastoma), cleft palate repair, lip avulsion, salivary mucocele, mandibular fracture repair (interdental wiring, intraoral acrylic splint, external skeletal fixation, mini-plating), TMJ surgery, reconstructive techniques.

~6%

Oral Examination & Charting

Conscious and complete anesthetized oral examination, AVDC dental chart (probing depths, attachment loss, gingival recession, furcation, mobility, missing or supernumerary teeth, malocclusion, retained deciduous, tooth fractures, resorption), dental photography, AVDC abbreviations (T/FX, T/A, T/NE, TR, RD, ONF).

~6%

Anesthesia & Analgesia

Pre-anesthetic evaluation, balanced anesthesia protocols, regional dental nerve blocks (infraorbital, maxillary, inferior alveolar/mandibular, middle mental — bupivacaine ± lidocaine), anesthetic monitoring (ETCO2, SpO2, BP, temperature), multimodal analgesia (opioids, NSAIDs, ketamine CRI, local anesthetics), patient warming, recovery.

~6%

Equine Dentistry

Equine modified Triadan and hypsodont cheek teeth anatomy, occlusal equilibration and floating (reducing enamel points, hooks, ramps, waves, shear mouth), wolf teeth (105/205) extraction, canine and incisor management, EOTRH (equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis — bulbous painful incisors; incisor extraction curative), sinusitis from cheek teeth, extraction techniques (oral, repulsion, buccotomy, minimally invasive transbuccal extraction).

~5%

Orthodontics

Malocclusion class I neutroclusion with individual tooth malposition, class II distoclusion (mandibular brachygnathism), class III mesioclusion (mandibular prognathism), class IV asymmetry/wry bite; base-narrow canines and linguoverted canines; lance canines; interceptive orthodontics of deciduous teeth; inclined planes; buttons and elastics; crown amputation with VPT as humane alternative; AVDC ethics position against show-ring orthodontics.

~5%

Restorative Dentistry

Direct composite resin with bonding agents, glass ionomer restorations, full metal crowns for fractured working canines in military and working dogs, crown lengthening, restorative material selection, isolation and moisture control, occlusal adjustment.

~4%

Exotic & Lagomorph/Rodent Dentistry

Elodont (continuously erupting) cheek teeth of rabbits, chinchillas, and guinea pigs; acquired dental disease with overgrown crowns and apical elongation; malocclusion; pseudo-odontomas in prairie dogs; ferret and primate dentistry; rodent incisor overgrowth — trim or extraction; dietary etiology (low fiber).

~3%

TMJ Disorders & Maxillofacial Fractures

TMJ luxation (rostrodorsal — closed reduction with fulcrum rod), TMJ ankylosis/dysplasia, open-mouth jaw locking, mandibular symphyseal separation (cerclage wire repair), mandibular body and ramus fractures, maxillary and palatal fractures, tape muzzle vs internal fixation.

~2%

Dental Materials & Pharmacology

Gutta-percha and endodontic sealers (zinc oxide eugenol, resin, bioceramic), MTA and bioceramic pulp capping, composite resins and bonding agents, glass ionomer, impression materials, prosthodontic cements, peri-operative antibiotics (clindamycin, amoxicillin-clavulanate), local hemostatics.

How to Pass the AVDC Veterinary Dentistry Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Criterion-referenced pass standard set by AVDC Examination Committee
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: Multi-day Certifying Examination (written, practical, case-based, oral)
Exam fee: ~$2,000-$3,000 Certifying Examination fee (AVDC 2026 — verify current schedule)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

AVDC Veterinary Dentistry Study Tips from Top Performers

1Modified Triadan numbering — memorize quadrant codes: 1 right maxilla permanent, 2 left maxilla permanent, 3 left mandible permanent, 4 right mandible permanent; 5-8 for deciduous. Rule of 4: the canine is always tooth 04 (104, 204, 304, 404). Rule of 9: the first molar is always 09 (109, 209, 309, 409). Dog dental formula 2×(I3/3 C1/1 P4/4 M2/3) = 42 permanent; cat 2×(I3/3 C1/1 P3/2 M1/1) = 30 permanent.

2Feline tooth resorption (TR) — the key AVDC distinction: Type 1 has an identifiable periodontal ligament space radiographically and requires complete extraction of tooth and roots; Type 2 shows replacement resorption with ankylosis and loss of PDL space (root blends with alveolar bone), where crown amputation with intentional subgingival root retention is acceptable provided the root is radiographically absent and there is no endodontic, periodontal, or inflammatory pathology; Type 3 is a combined lesion — treat the type 1 component surgically.

3Periodontal disease staging — PD1 gingivitis only (no attachment loss, reversible), PD2 <25% attachment loss (early periodontitis), PD3 25-50% attachment loss (moderate), PD4 >50% attachment loss (advanced). Always confirm with probing AND intraoral radiographs — visual examination alone underestimates disease severity.

4Oral tumor surgical margins — mandibulectomy or maxillectomy with 1-2 cm margins for malignant tumors (oral melanoma, SCC, fibrosarcoma) confirmed by CT planning. Acanthomatous ameloblastoma is locally aggressive but non-metastatic — marginal en bloc resection (1 cm margins) is usually curative. Always obtain preoperative CT for staging and surgical planning, plus thoracic radiographs or CT for metastasis screening.

5Regional dental nerve blocks — infraorbital (maxillary premolars/canine/incisors rostral to block), maxillary (entire hemi-maxilla including molars), inferior alveolar/mandibular (entire hemi-mandible), middle mental (mandibular incisors/canine). Bupivacaine 0.5% provides 6-8 hours of analgesia; maximum dose 2 mg/kg dog, 1-1.5 mg/kg cat. Combine with multimodal opioids and NSAIDs. Always aspirate before injection to avoid intravascular administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AVDC Veterinary Dentistry Certifying Examination?

The AVDC Certifying Examination is the board examination administered by the American Veterinary Dental College to credential veterinarians as Diplomates in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery. It is a multi-day, multi-component examination with written multiple-choice, practical (laboratory or wet-lab), case-based, and oral components that together test breadth and depth of knowledge across endodontics, periodontology, exodontia, oral and maxillofacial surgery, imaging, anesthesia, feline and equine dentistry, exotics, orthodontics, restorative, and related domains.

Who is eligible to take the AVDC Certifying Examination?

Candidates must complete an AVDC-approved training pathway — either an approved residency (typically 3 years) under AVDC Diplomate supervision or an alternate (non-residency) pathway with extended mentored practice experience. Candidates must also meet case log and procedure requirements, submit required peer-reviewed publications (at least one first-author publication accepted per AVDC requirements), and pass a credentials review by the AVDC Credentials Committee before sitting the examination.

What is the format of the AVDC Certifying Exam?

The AVDC Certifying Examination is a multi-day, multi-component in-person examination. It includes a written multiple-choice section covering the AVDC content outline, a practical laboratory or wet-lab component testing hands-on skills, a case-based section requiring interpretation of radiographs and case materials, and an oral examination conducted by AVDC Diplomates. Candidates must pass all components per AVDC policy.

How much does the 2026 AVDC Certifying Exam cost?

The 2026 AVDC Certifying Examination fee is approximately $2,000-$3,000 — always verify the current schedule on the AVDC website. Candidates also pay credentials review fees before the examination and annual Diplomate dues after passing. Cancellation and refund policies follow the AVDC schedule with decreasing refunds as the exam date approaches. Retakes require re-registration and fee payment within the allowed window.

When is the 2026 exam administered?

The AVDC Certifying Examination is typically offered once annually. Applications and credentials packets are due several months before the test, and candidates must be approved by the Credentials Committee before sitting the examination. Exact 2026 dates and deadlines should be confirmed on the AVDC examinations page.

How is the exam scored?

AVDC uses criterion-referenced scoring. Each examination component has a pass standard set by the AVDC Examination Committee, and candidates are measured against that fixed content-expert standard rather than curved against peers. Candidates typically must pass each component (written, practical, case-based, and oral) per AVDC policy. Score feedback is provided to candidates who do not pass.

What are the highest-yield topics?

Highest-yield topics include modified Triadan numbering, AVDC nomenclature and abbreviations, periodontal disease stages 1-4, standard root canal therapy and vital pulp therapy with MTA, feline tooth resorption TR type 1 (complete extraction) vs type 2 (crown amputation acceptable when root is radiographically absent), FCGS full-mouth extractions, oral tumor mandibulectomy/maxillectomy margins, malocclusion classification I-IV with crown amputation as humane option, intraoral radiography (parallel and bisecting angle), EOTRH in equine practice, and regional dental nerve blocks.

How should I study for this exam?

Use a structured 12-18 month plan layered on AVDC-approved training. Map to the AVDC content outline: begin with dental anatomy, Triadan numbering, and AVDC nomenclature/charting; then endodontics, periodontology, and imaging; then exodontia, oral surgery, feline, and equine; finally orthodontics, restorative, exotics, TMJ, and materials/pharmacology. Integrate core references (Wiggs and Lobprise, Verstraete/Lommer, AVDC position statements), peer-reviewed JOVD articles, and wet-lab experience. Complete 2-3 full-length timed mock examinations and drill radiograph interpretation.