AAE Consensus Conference Recommended Diagnostic Terminology

Right off the cheat sheet

normal pulp

a clinical diagnostic category in which the pulp is symptom free and normally responsive to pulp testing

reversible pulpitis

a clinical diagnosis based on subjective and objective findings indicating that the inflammation should resolve and the pulp return to normal

symptomatic irreversible pulpitis

a clinical diagnosis based on subjective and objective findings indicating that the vital inflammed pulp is incapable of healing

additional descriptors: lingering thermal pain, spontaneous pain, referred pain

asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis

a clinical diagnosis based on subjective and objective findings indicating that the vital inflammed pulp is incapable of healing

additional descriptors: no clinical symptoms but inflammation is produced by caries, caries excavation, trauma

pulp necrosis

a clinical diagnostic category indicating death of the dental pulp

the pulp is usually nonresponsive to pulp testing

previously treated

a clinical diagnostic category indicating that the tooth has been endodontically treated and the canals are obturated with various filling materials other than intracanal medicaments

previously initiated therapy

a clinical diagnostic category indicating that the tooth has been previously treated by partial endodontic therapy (ie pulpotomy, pulpectomy)

normal apical tissues

teeth with normal periradicular tissues that are not sensitive to percussion or palpation testing

the lamina dura surrounding the root is intact, and the periodontal ligament space is uniform

symptomatic apical periodontitis

inflammation, usually of the apical periodontium, producing clincal symptoms including a painful response to biting and/or percussion or palpation

it might or might not be associated with an apical radiolucent area

asymptomatic apical periodontitis

inflammation and destruction of apical periodontium that is of pulpal origin, appears as an apical radiolucent area, and does not produce clinical symptoms

acute apical abscess

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

chronic apical abscess

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

condensing osteitis

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