Australian Dental Council (ADC) Test 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The recommended technique for extracting a maxillary deciduous molar in a 5-year-old child involves labial-lingual movement. This technique is effective due to the anatomical considerations of the roots of maxillary deciduous molars, which are typically wider and more flared in a labial-lingual direction.

Labial-lingual movement helps to undermine the alveolar bone surrounding the roots and allows for easier mobilization of the tooth. This approach promotes a safer extraction process by minimizing trauma to the surrounding tissue. It also capitalizes on leveraging the natural anatomy of the tooth and the surrounding structures, ensuring that the extraction is efficient and gentle, which is particularly important in young children.

Other techniques, while applicable in different contexts, may not be as advantageous in this scenario. For instance, mostly towards the apex pressure might not effectively counteract the root morphology, whereas rotation could risk breaking the tooth if there is significant root divergence. Likewise, distal pressure and movement could lead to complications if not executed carefully, as it may not properly address the anchorage provided by the buccal and palatal aspects of the tooth.

Using labial-lingual movement takes into consideration both the anatomical aspects of the roots and the necessity for a gentle