AAE Recommended Diagnostic Technology

Question 1

what are the pulpal diagnoses

Answer 1

normal pulp
reversible pulpitis
symptomatic irreversible pulpitis
asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis
pulp necrosis
previously treated
previously initiated therapy

Question 2

what is normal pulp

Answer 2

pulp is symptom free and normally responsive to pulp testing

Question 3

what is reversible pulpitis

Answer 3

inflammation should resolve and pulp return to normal

Question 4

what is symptomatic irreversible pulpitis

Answer 4

vital inflamed pulp is incapable of healing
lingering thermal pain/spontaneous pain/referred pain

Question 5

what is pulp necrosis

Answer 5

death of dental pulp
nonresponsive to pulp testing

Question 6

what is previously treated pulp

Answer 6

tooth has been endodontically treated and canals are obturated with filling materials other than intracanal medicaments

Question 7

what is previously initiated therapy

Answer 7

previously treated by partial endodontic therapy (pulpotomy/pulpectomy)

Question 8

what are the apical diagnoses

Answer 8

normal apical tissues
symptomatic apical periodontitis
asymptomatic apical periodontitis
acute apical abscess
chronic apical abscess
condensing osteitis

Question 9

what is normal apical tissues

Answer 9

teeth with normal periradicular tissues that are not sensitive to percussion or palpation testing
lamina dura is intact and PDL space is uniform

Question 10

what is symptomatic apical periodontitis

Answer 10

inflammation of apical periodontium producing clinical symptoms including painful response to biting and/or percussion or palpation
may or may not have radiolucency

Question 11

what is asymptomatic apical periodontitis

Answer 11

inflammation and destruction of apical periodontium that is of pulpal origin appearing as radiolucent at apex but no symptoms

Question 12

what is acute apical abscess

Answer 12

inflammatory reaction to pulpal infection and necrosis characterised by rapid onset, spontaneous pain, tenderness of tooth to pressure, pus formation and swelling of associated tissues

Question 13

what is chronic apical abscess

Answer 13

inflammatory reaction to pulpal infection and necrosis characterised by gradual onset, little or no discomfort and intermittent discharge of pus through an associated sinus tract

Question 14

what is condensing osteitis

Answer 14

diffuse radiopaque lesion representing localised bony reaction to a low-grade inflammatory stimulus, usually seen at apex of tooth