Gemination — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateAnatomy (Head & Neck)GeminationMFDS Part 1

A permanent maxillary central incisor has an unusually wide, bifid crown with a central developmental groove. When the anomalous tooth is counted as one, the arch contains the normal number of teeth. A periapical radiograph shows a single root. Which developmental anomaly is most likely?

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Correct answer: E — Gemination

Gemination is the attempted incomplete division of a single tooth germ. It typically produces an enlarged or bifid crown with a developmental groove and commonly a single root; counting the anomalous tooth as one usually gives a normal tooth complement. Fusion is the union of two tooth germs and usually produces a reduced tooth count, although fusion with a supernumerary tooth is an important exception. Concrescence is union of adjacent teeth by cementum alone. Dilaceration is an abnormal bend in a tooth crown or root, while dens invaginatus is an infolding of enamel and dentine into the tooth. The combined clinical and radiographic features therefore make gemination the single best answer.

Reference: Zinovieva Y, et al. Extraction of teeth 11 and 21 due to gemination and space closure with skeletal anchorage in a patient with class III tendency: a case report. International Journal of Implant Dentistry. 2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40304943/