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Iran Dental Specialty Board — Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (بورد جراحی دهان، فک و صورت)

Practice Questions100 questions

Exam Review

Key Facts: Iran Dental Specialty Board - Endodontics Exam

100

Total four-option multiple-choice questions on the national written specialty board exam

Council for Dental and Specialized Education

70%

Strict minimum passing score (70/100) required to advance to the clinical/oral examination

Sanjesh Pezeshki examination regulations

120 min

Examination duration, providing an average of 60 seconds per clinical scenario and question

Sanjesh Pezeshki written examination schedule

Negative marking score penalty: incorrect choices do not deduct marks from correct answers

MOHME dental board guidelines

Annual

National examination administration frequency, held each late summer (Shahrivar) in Tehran

National Center for Health Assessment

The Iranian Dental Specialty Board in Endodontics is an annual high-stakes credentialing exam administered by Sanjesh Pezeshki. Candidates must achieve at least 70% on a 100-question written multiple-choice test (no negative marking, 100 minutes) referenced to Cohen's Pathways of the Pulp and Ingle's Endodontics to qualify for the clinical/oral board examination.

Sample Iran Dental Specialty Board - Endodontics Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Iran Dental Specialty Board - Endodontics exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which specialized intercellular junctional complexes interconnect adjacent odontoblast cell bodies at their pulpal-predentin interface, contributing to the selective permeability barrier of the pulp?

A.Hemidesmosomes and focal adhesions

B.Tight junctions (zonulae occludentes) and gap junctions

C.Desmosomes exclusively without communicating channels

D.Synaptic junctions and neuromuscular junctions

Explanation: Odontoblasts are polarized columnar cells joined laterally near their apical poles by tight junctions (zonulae occludentes), desmosome-like junctions, and gap junctions. These complexes establish a partially restrictive permeability barrier between the dental pulp and dentin while facilitating metabolic and electrical communication between neighboring odontoblasts.

2Which statement accurately contrasts the physiological characteristics of pulpal A-delta fibers with C fibers?

A.A-delta fibers are myelinated, fast-conducting, and mediate sharp, localized pain, whereas C fibers are unmyelinated and mediate dull, poorly localized, throbbing pain

B.A-delta fibers are unmyelinated, have high activation thresholds, and survive tissue hypoxia longer than C fibers

C.C fibers terminate exclusively within the outer dentinal tubules, whereas A-delta fibers remain restricted to the central core of the radicular pulp

D.C fibers are myelinated and trigger the immediate withdrawal reflex upon cold application, whereas A-delta fibers only respond to heat

Explanation: Pulpal A-delta fibers are myelinated axons with low excitation thresholds that conduct rapidly (6-30 m/s), transmitting sharp, pricking, well-localized pain stimulated by dentinal fluid movement. In contrast, C fibers are unmyelinated, slow-conducting (0.5-2 m/s) axons situated deeper in the pulp core that mediate dull, aching, persistent pain associated with tissue injury and inflammation.

3Why does acute pulpal inflammation within the intact dental chamber lead to localized microcirculatory collapse and tissue necrosis rather than generalized swelling?

A.The pulp lacks lymphatic drainage channels and capillary fenestrations under baseline physiological conditions

B.Pulpal arterioles lack smooth muscle and are unable to constrict in response to sympathetic catecholamines

C.The rigid dentin encasement creates a low-compliance environment where elevated interstitial tissue pressure compresses local venules

D.The high density of mast cells releases heparin, which permanently prevents localized thrombosis and microvascular stasis

Explanation: Because the dental pulp is enclosed within rigid, unyielding dentinal walls, it functions as a low-compliance vascular bed. When inflammatory vasodilation and vascular permeability increase fluid filtration, the resulting elevation in localized tissue hydrostatic pressure cannot expand the volume, causing passive compression of thin-walled venules, venous stasis, ischemia, and localized necrosis.

4Which bacterial species is most frequently isolated from root canals of teeth with persistent, refractory periapical pathosis following previously completed endodontic treatment?

A.Porphyromonas gingivalis

B.Streptococcus mutans

C.Treponema denticola

D.Enterococcus faecalis

Explanation: Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive facultative anaerobic bacterium capable of invading dentinal tubules, resisting nutritional starvation, surviving alkaline pH up to 11.5 via a proton pump mechanism, and forming dense biofilms that tolerate standard intracanal dressings.

5Through which pattern recognition receptor (PRR) complex does bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS / endotoxin) primarily trigger the innate immune response in periapical tissues?

A.Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in conjunction with dectin-1

B.Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in association with CD14 and MD-2

C.NOD2 receptor within the host cell nuclear membrane

D.Mannose-binding lectin binding directly to viral capsid proteins

Explanation: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the outer membrane of Gram-negative anaerobes binds to lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and is transferred to CD14, which interacts with Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and MD-2. This induces MyD88-dependent signaling, NF-kappa-B activation, and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha.

6According to the histopathological classification by P.N.R. Nair, which feature definitively distinguishes a periapical true cyst from a periapical pocket (bay) cyst?

A.A true cyst contains cholesterol clefts, whereas a pocket cyst completely lacks lipid crystallization

B.A pocket cyst is lined by stratified squamous epithelium, whereas a true cyst is lined exclusively by ciliated columnar epithelium

C.A true cyst has an entirely self-contained, closed epithelial lumen with no communication with the root canal system, whereas a pocket cyst lumen communicates directly with the apical foramen

D.A true cyst is completely sterilizable by nonsurgical intracanal irrigation, whereas a pocket cyst always requires periapical surgery

Explanation: Nair's seminal histopathological studies demonstrated that periapical true cysts possess an entirely enclosed epithelial-lined cavity with no connection to the root canal, making them self-sustaining and less responsive to nonsurgical root canal therapy. In contrast, periapical pocket (bay) cysts are pouch-like diverticula whose epithelial lumens open directly into the root canal system, allowing them to heal following nonsurgical disinfection.

7Which molecular signaling dynamic is primarily responsible for osteoclast differentiation and active periapical bone resorption in apical periodontitis?

A.Upregulation of RANKL expression by osteoblasts and T-lymphocytes exceeding osteoprotegerin (OPG) decoy binding

B.Binding of osteocalcin to calcitonin receptors on pre-osteoblasts

C.Secretion of alkaline phosphatase by osteocytes leading to phosphate precipitation

D.Downregulation of parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) accompanied by elevated OPG

Explanation: Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa-B ligand (RANKL), produced by osteoblastic lineage cells and activated T-lymphocytes in response to IL-1 and TNF-alpha, binds to RANK on osteoclast precursors. When RANKL levels overwhelm osteoprotegerin (OPG)—a soluble decoy receptor that intercepts RANKL—osteoclastogenesis and periapical bone destruction proceed unchecked.

8Which group of microorganisms predominates numerically in untreated primary intraradicular infections associated with acute apical abscesses?

A.Aerobic Gram-positive bacilli such as Bacillus subtilis and Corynebacterium diphtheriae

B.Facultative Gram-negative enteric bacilli such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae

C.Acid-fast mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis

D.Obligate anaerobic polymicrobial taxa including Prevotella, Porphyromonas, Fusobacterium, and Treponema

Explanation: Primary endodontic infections are mixed, polymicrobial communities dominated by obligate anaerobic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria (typically over 90% anaerobes). Black-pigmented bacteroides (Prevotella and Porphyromonas species), Fusobacterium nucleatum, Dialister, and anaerobic spirochetes (Treponema) work synergistically to produce purulent exudate.

9Which neuropeptide released from sensory nerve terminals in the dental pulp is the most potent mediator of neurogenic inflammation, vasodilation, and vascular permeability?

A.Neuropeptide Y (NPY)

B.Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and Substance P (SP)

C.Somatostatin (SRIF)

D.Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)

Explanation: Upon noxious stimulation, sensory afferent nerve fibers release neuropeptides from their peripheral terminals via an axon reflex. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is an extremely potent vasodilator, while Substance P (SP) causes marked plasma extravasation, mast cell degranulation, and endothelial cell contraction, characteristic of neurogenic inflammation.

10What is the histological significance of the cell-free zone of Weil located immediately subadjacent to the odontoblastic layer in coronal pulp?

A.It represents an artifact of histological tissue dehydration with no in vivo biological existence

B.It is populated exclusively by calcified denticle precursors and osteoblast progenitor cells

C.It contains an extensive plexus of unmyelinated nerve fibers (plexus of Raschkow) and rich capillary networks

D.It consists of dense bundles of Type I collagen fibers devoid of any vascular or neural components

Explanation: The cell-free zone of Weil (subodontoblastic layer) is prominent in coronal pulp and lies between the odontoblast layer and the cell-rich zone. It is traversed by the extensive subodontoblastic neural plexus of Raschkow, unmyelinated terminal nerve branches, and a fine capillary network that supplies the metabolic demands of the odontoblasts.

About the Iran Dental Specialty Board - Endodontics Exam

The Iranian Dental Specialty Board Examination in Endodontics (آزمون دانشنامه تخصصی دندانپزشکی - اندودانتیکس / بورد تخصصی اندودانتیکس) represents the highest academic and clinical credential for endodontists in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Administered annually by Sanjesh Pezeshki under the authority of the Council for Dental and Specialized Education of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME), the board certifies that a graduate of an accredited 3-year endodontic residency program possesses master-level competence in pulpal biology, advanced non-surgical and surgical endodontic therapy, regenerative endodontics, and complex pain management. Achieving board certification confers the prestigious title of 'Board Certified Endodontist' (دارای دانشنامه تخصصی) and is mandatory for appointment to university academic faculties throughout Iran. The national written board examination features exactly 100 four-option multiple-choice questions administered over 100 minutes without negative marking. The examination content is rigorously referenced to the world's standard authoritative endodontic textbooks, primarily Cohen's Pathways of the Pulp (Berman & Hargreaves) and Ingle's Endodontics, supplemented by official consensus statements from the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) and the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT). The written test covers six fundamental domains: Pulpal & Periapical Biology & Pathosis (20%), Endodontic Examination, Diagnosis, Radiographic Imaging & Treatment Planning (20%), Surgical & Non-Surgical Instrumentation, Irrigation & Disinfection (20%), Obturation Techniques, Sealers & Coronal Restoration (15%), Traumatic Dental Injuries, Regenerative Endodontics & Vital Pulp Therapy (15%), and Endodontic Emergencies, Analgesia, Pharmacology & Systemic Complications (10%). Candidates must attain a passing threshold of at least 70% (70/100) in the written test to proceed to the clinical OSCE and oral defense stages. This practice bank is an independent English-language adaptation developed by OpenExamPrep to assist postgraduate residents, board candidates, and international dental specialists in mastering key concepts through deep rationales and distractor analyses.

Exam sponsor: National Center for Health Assessment / Sanjesh Pezeshki (مرکز سنجش آموزش پزشکی) & Council for Dental and Specialized Education. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The Iranian Dental Specialty Board Examination (آزمون دانشنامه تخصصی دندانپزشکی) is administered annually in late summer (traditionally Shahrivar) by the National Center for Health Assessment (مرکز سنجش آموزش پزشکی - Sanjesh Pezeshki) under the supervision of the Council for Dental and Specialized Education of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. The examination is divided into two distinct sequential stages: a 100-question written examination (Kanoon-e Azmoon-e Katbi) and a clinical practical/oral OSCE examination (Azmoon-e Shafahi/Amali). Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 70% (70 correct answers out of 100) on the written exam to qualify for and sit the practical stage. The written exam features single-best-answer MCQs with four options and no negative marking.

Time Limit

100 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam / Certification Fees

Nominal administrative registration fee set annually by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, payable online via the Sanjesh Pezeshki portal during registration

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

20%

Pulpal & Periapical Biology & Pathosis

Histology of the dentin-pulp complex, odontoblast morphology and junctional complexes, pulpal hemodynamics and interstitial fluid pressure, nociceptive A-delta and C nerve fibers, primary and secondary endodontic biofilm microbiology (including Enterococcus faecalis, Actinomyces, and Tannerella forsythia), host immune response, bone resorption cytokines (RANKL, IL-1, TNF-alpha), and the differential histopathology of periapical cysts, granulomas, and condensing osteitis.

20%

Endodontic Examination, Diagnosis, Radiographic Imaging & Treatment Planning

Standardized AAE pulpal and periapical diagnostic terminology, cold testing (refrigerant spray) versus electric pulp testing mechanisms, periodontal probing patterns, high-resolution small FOV CBCT indications and artifacts (beam hardening, scatter), diagnosis and management of cracked tooth syndrome, vertical root fracture signs, non-odontogenic pain differentials (trigeminal neuralgia, persistent dentoalveolar pain), and endo-perio classifications.

20%

Surgical & Non-Surgical Instrumentation, Irrigation & Disinfection

Nickel-titanium rotary and reciprocating metallurgy (austenitic, martensitic, M-Wire, CM-Wire, Blue and Gold heat treatments), mechanics of cyclic fatigue versus torsional stress, apical glide path creation, sodium hypochlorite tissue dissolution and antimicrobial action, EDTA smear layer removal, ultrasonic (PUI) and sonic agitation dynamics, surgical apicoectomy root resection angles, ultrasonic retro-cavity preparation, and root-end filling materials.

15%

Obturation Techniques, Sealers & Coronal Restoration

Warm vertical compaction, continuous wave technique, carrier-based gutta-percha delivery, bioceramic and calcium silicate-based hydraulic sealers (hydroxyapatite nucleation, bioactivity, alkaline pH), epoxy-resin sealers (AH Plus), zinc oxide-eugenol sealers, post-endodontic coronal seal, ferrule effect requirements, and post selection protocols.

15%

Traumatic Dental Injuries, Regenerative Endodontics & Vital Pulp Therapy

IADT 2020 trauma guidelines for concussion, subluxation, extrusive/lateral luxation, intrusion, and avulsion; transport media (HBSS, milk); flexible splinting intervals; vital pulp therapy criteria (indirect capping, direct capping, Cvek partial pulpotomy, cervical pulpotomy) using calcium silicate cements (MTA, Biodentine); and clinical protocols for regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) in immature necrotic teeth.

10%

Endodontic Emergencies, Analgesia, Pharmacology & Systemic Complications

Management of true endodontic flare-ups, surgical drainage through the soft tissue and cortical trephination, rational antibiotic indications (fever, lymphadenopathy, progressive cellulitis, fascial spaces), non-indicated antibiotic overuse, pre-emptive and multimodal analgesic regimens (ibuprofen plus acetaminophen), sodium hypochlorite extrusion emergency management, and management of paresthesia due to overfill.

Preparing for the Iran Dental Specialty Board - Endodontics Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70%
Assessment: The Iranian Dental Specialty Board Examination (آزمون دانشنامه تخصصی دندانپزشکی) is administered annually in late summer (traditionally Shahrivar) by the National Center for Health Assessment (مرکز سنجش آموزش پزشکی - Sanjesh Pezeshki) under the supervision of the Council for Dental and Specialized Education of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. The examination is divided into two distinct sequential stages: a 100-question written examination (Kanoon-e Azmoon-e Katbi) and a clinical practical/oral OSCE examination (Azmoon-e Shafahi/Amali). Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 70% (70 correct answers out of 100) on the written exam to qualify for and sit the practical stage. The written exam features single-best-answer MCQs with four options and no negative marking.
Time limit: 100 minutes
Exam / certification fees: Nominal administrative registration fee set annually by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, payable online via the Sanjesh Pezeshki portal during registration Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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Iran Dental Specialty Board - Endodontics: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master Cohen's Pathways of the Pulp chapters on pulpal biology, microbiology, and regenerative endodontics: high-yield areas include the role of E. faecalis in refractory infections, stem cells of the apical papilla (SCAP), and biological actions of calcium silicates.

2Thoroughly memorize the 2020 International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) guidelines: know the exact splinting durations (2 weeks for subluxation/extrusive/avulsion, 4 weeks for lateral luxation and root fracture in the cervical third), storage media rankings, and pulp canal obliteration expectations.

3Understand NiTi metallurgy thoroughly: differentiate between austenite and martensite phases, the impact of heat treatments (M-Wire, CM-Wire, Blue, Gold) on cyclic fatigue resistance, and why torsional stress differs from cyclic fatigue failure.

4Study CBCT indications and imaging geometry: recognize the AAE/AAOMR joint position statement guidelines for limited field-of-view (FOV) CBCT, voxel size selection, and beam-hardening artifacts caused by metal posts or gutta-percha.

5Capitalize on the absence of negative marking: attempt all 100 questions on exam day. For difficult clinical vignettes, eliminate biologically implausible distractors first to maximize probability on remaining choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Iran Dental Specialty Board Examination in Endodontics?

It is the national exit and specialty credentialing examination administered by Sanjesh Pezeshki and the Council for Dental and Specialized Education for graduates of accredited Iranian 3-year endodontic postgraduate residency programs. Passing both the written and practical stages confers board certification (Daneshnameh Takhasosi), qualifying specialists for university faculty appointments.

What are the primary reference textbooks for the written endodontic board exam?

The official national references specified in the Ministry of Health curriculum are Cohen's Pathways of the Pulp (latest edition by Louis H. Berman and Kenneth M. Hargreaves) and Ingle's Endodontics (by John I. Ingle et al.), supplemented by consensus guidelines from the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) and the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT).

What is the format, question count, and time limit of the written exam?

The written examination consists of exactly 100 four-option multiple-choice questions administered in a single continuous session lasting 100 minutes (60 seconds per question). It is administered in Persian, and there is no negative marking.

What is the passing score for the written examination?

Candidates must score at least 70% (70 out of 100 correct answers) on the written examination to be admitted to the clinical oral/OSCE and practical examination stage. Candidates who score below 70% cannot proceed to the clinical stage.

What is the difference between the Board Exam (Daneshnameh) and the Exit Exam (Govahi-nameh)?

The Govahi-nameh (Specialty Exit Certificate) qualifies the graduate to practice as an endodontic specialist in Iran and fulfill regional service commitments. The Daneshnameh (Board Certification) is the higher-tier academic credential obtained by scoring 70%+ on both the national written and clinical board exams, which is essential for university faculty tenure and academic roles.

Is this OpenExamPrep question bank an official Sanjesh Pezeshki resource?

No. This question bank is an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation developed by OpenExamPrep for conceptual review and mastery. The official Iranian exam is administered in Persian by Sanjesh Pezeshki. This resource is not an official translation, not an official-format simulation, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sanjesh Pezeshki or the Ministry of Health and Medical Education.