Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: pulp vitality tests: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: pulp vitality tests

Sample item

A patient has a darkened upper incisor after a sports injury 2 years ago. Which test best checks if the pulp is alive?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Electric pulp test or cold test

Pulp sensibility tests such as the electric pulp tester and cold stimuli indicate nerve response and therefore pulp vitality. Percussion tests the periodontal ligament, not the pulp.

Option by option

  • A. Electric pulp test or cold test (correct)

    Correct. These tests assess the pulp's neural response.

  • B. Bitewing radiograph

    A radiograph shows bone and tooth structure but not pulp vitality.

  • C. Percussion test

    Percussion detects periapical inflammation, not pulp vitality.

  • D. Transillumination only

    Transillumination shows cracks and discolouration, not nerve response.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is A, Electric pulp test or cold test. Pulp sensibility tests such as the electric pulp tester and cold stimuli indicate nerve response and therefore pulp vitality.

Why is "Bitewing radiograph" not the answer?

A radiograph shows bone and tooth structure but not pulp vitality.

Why is "Percussion test" not the answer?

Percussion detects periapical inflammation, not pulp vitality.

Why is "Transillumination only" not the answer?

Transillumination shows cracks and discolouration, not nerve response.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: pulp vitality tests in Dentistry. Percussion tests the periodontal ligament, not the pulp.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Caries, pulp and periodontal disease: pulp vitality tests?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.