Classification
Reversible Pulpitis
Mild inflammation; pulp can recover after removal of causative stimulus.
- • Pain only to stimulus (cold, sweet)
- • Pain resolves within seconds of stimulus removal
- • Normal periapical radiographic findings
- • Responds to vitality testing
Irreversible Pulpitis — Symptomatic
Severe inflammation with spontaneous pain; pulp cannot recover.
- • Spontaneous, severe, throbbing pain
- • Pain lingers >30 seconds after stimulus removed
- • Pain disturbs sleep
- • Difficult to localize pain
Irreversible Pulpitis — Asymptomatic
Pulp is irreversibly inflamed without symptomatic pain.
- • No spontaneous pain
- • May have minimal sensitivity
- • Often found incidentally on radiograph
- • Internal resorption may be present