ADEX Crown Prep Criteria 2026: What Is on the Prosthodontic Exam and How It Is Graded

Up to four hours for three crown preparations: an all-ceramic crown on a central incisor, and zirconia crowns on a premolar and a molar as the abutments of a 3-unit bridge.

An all-ceramic crown on tooth #9 and zirconia crowns on teeth #5 and #3 as the abutments of a 3-unit bridge (Universal Numbering System).

The clinical exams are performed on simulated patient manikins and proprietary typodont models, in a clinic or simulation laboratory.

It is one of the clinical exams of the ADEX Dental Examination series. The ADEX Dental Examination combines the computer-based DLOSCE with five clinical exams: Periodontal, Endodontic, Prosthodontic, Anterior Restorative and Posterior Restorative. All parts must be passed within 18 months of the first attempt of any part.

Examiners rate each criterion Clinically Acceptable, Marginally Substandard or Critically Deficient. ADEX describes the three ratings like this:

ACC · Clinically Acceptable

The treatment is of acceptable quality, demonstrating competence in clinical judgment, knowledge, and skill.

SUB · Marginally Substandard

The treatment is of marginal quality, demonstrating less than expected clinical judgment and/or skill.

DEF · Critically Deficient

The treatment is of unacceptable quality, demonstrating critical areas of incompetence in clinical judgment, knowledge, and/or skill.

If a criterion is rated critically deficient by two or more examiners, no points are awarded for that procedure and the candidate fails it.

Candidates are not told the outcome of any procedure during the exam. Results are reported as pass or fail to candidates and licensing jurisdictions for each part. A score of 75 or greater is required to pass each part, and results are reported as pass or fail.

The 12 checks examiners score on a crown preparation (criteria v26.8). The guide explains each one with real graded preparations.

1. 01Where the margin sits
2. 02The shape of the margin
3. 03How wide the margin is
4. 04Line of draw
5. 05How much you took off the sides
6. 06Undercuts
7. 07Taper
8. 08Reduction off the top
9. 09Line angles
10. 10The one that changes with the tooth
11. 11The neighbouring teeth
12. 12The gum and the typodont

These are the titles of the checks in our guide, not an ADEX document. The official criteria are on the ADEX criteria sheets in the candidate manual. Read the ADEX candidate manual (opens in a new tab)

Failing one crown preparation means retaking the whole Prosthodontic exam. A 10-day waiting period applies before any retake, and three failed attempts of the same part fail the entire exam series.

$2,995 for the full ADEX Dental series, plus a facility fee that varies by location and a $150 typodont fee per procedure. It includes one complimentary retake per clinical procedure.