Clinical Examination and Testing

Question 1

What is the objective of clinical testing?

Answer 1

to reproduce the CC and find an etiology for the patient’s pathosis

Question 2

AOS acronym

Answer 2

area of suspicion

Question 3

A DST is usually associated with?

Answer 3

CAA (chronic apical abscess)

Question 4

What is one of the most important rules regarding percussion testing?

Answer 4

NEVER start on the suspected tooth; start in an area of the mouth not related to the AOS

Question 4

In relation to thermal (cold) pulp sensibility testing, what is more important?

Answer 4

time to recovery MORE IMPORTANT than severity of pain

Question 5

Normal recovery time for cold testing on a tooth WNL.

Answer 5

3-8 seconds

Question 6

When lingering discomfort for more than ______ seconds, it is significant.

Answer 6

10-15

Question 7

A false-negative response is common when cold is applied to teeth with calcific metamorphosis presumably due to?

Answer 7

reduction in hydrodynamic fluid flow

Question 8

A false-positive response may result if cold…?

Answer 8

contacts gingiva or is transferred to adjacent teeth with vital pulps

Question 9

Sensibility to COLD is considered to be a symptom of __1__ pulpal inflammation.
Sensibility to HOT is considered to be a symptom of __2__ pulpal inflammation.

Answer 9

1. early
2. late

Question 10

Heat testing is not performed unless?

Answer 10

the CC of the patient is pain produced by warm liquids

Question 11

What types of testing is needed to make a complete endodontic diagnosis of a problem?

Answer 11

clinical testing and diagnostic radiographs
***NOT histological

Question 12

What clinical test is used any time thermal testing is unclear?

Answer 12

EPT

Question 13

Routine NR for testing happens on?

Answer 13

• YOUNG permanent teeth
• teeth immediately following TRAUMA (recheck in 2-4 weeks)

Question 14

Symptoms on a tooth with no caries, no trauma, and no restorations. You suspect an axial crack. How would you prove this?

Answer 14

• radiographs
• biting tests with “tooth slooth” tool
• periodontal probing (look for “drop off” pocket)
• transillumination

Question 15

A normal tooth lights up like a light bulb when performing transillumination test. An axial crown fracture will…?

Answer 15

NOT allow light to pass through the line of fracture

Question 16

When is a vertical axial crack treatable vs. non-treatable?

Answer 16

treatable if crack remains on the crown in enamel
non-treatable if crack extends onto the root surface