Question

A patient has a severe, throbbing toothache in the area of the mandibular right first premolar. The tooth is very painful to percussion, but does not respond to heat, cold or the electric pulp tester. No swelling is noted. Radiographs show no abnormalities. The most probable diagnosis is

A. reversible pulpitis.
B. irreversible pulpitis.
C. acute apical periodontitis.
D. chronic apical periodontitis.
E. suppurative apical periodontitis.

Answer 1

The most probable diagnosis is acute apical periodontitis. Acute apical periodontitis is characterized by severe toothache, pain on percussion, and no response to heat, cold, or electric pulp testing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most probable diagnosis in this case is acute apical periodontitis. Acute apical periodontitis is a condition characterized by severe toothache, pain on percussion, and no response to heat, cold, or electric pulp testing. It is caused by inflammation and infection of the tooth's periapical tissues. In this case, the infection is likely localized to the area of the mandibular right first premolar. Radiographs may not show any abnormalities in the early stages of acute apical periodontitis, which explains why no abnormalities were observed in this patient's radiographs.