California Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Written Practice Exam

What endodontic procedure is typically performed on primary teeth?

1. Root canal

2. Apicoectomy

3. Pulpotomy

4. Pulpectomy

The correct answer is: Pulpotomy

A root canal is a treatment done on a permanent tooth, not a primary tooth. An apicoectomy is a surgical procedure done to remove the tip of a tooth's root. A pulpectomy is a procedure done to remove the entire pulp from a tooth. A pulpotomy, on the other hand, is a procedure specifically performed on primary teeth to remove the infected or inflamed pulp tissue, disinfect the area, and place a medicated dressing to promote healing. Therefore, pulpotomy is the most appropriate and commonly performed endodontic procedure for primary teeth.