A patient presents with trauma to teeth #8 and #9. Examination reveals that tooth #8 has both enamel and dentin exposure, while tooth #9 has only a small piece of enamel fractured off. Which Ellis classification applies?

Correct answer: C. Tooth #8 Ellis Class 2 and tooth #9 Ellis Class 1

• A. This reverses the classification — tooth #8 has the more extensive fracture (enamel + dentin = Class 2), not tooth #9.
• B. Ellis Class 3 involves exposure of enamel, dentin, AND pulp. Tooth #8 has enamel and dentin exposure only — no pulp exposure mentioned — so Class 3 is incorrect for #8.
• C. CORRECT. Ellis Class 2 = fracture involving enamel AND dentin (with no pulp exposure), which describes tooth #8. Ellis Class 1 = fracture involving enamel only, which describes tooth #9's small enamel chip.
• D. This applies incorrect classes to both teeth. Tooth #8 has enamel + dentin (Class 2), and tooth #9 has enamel only (Class 1), not the other way around.