A patient reports a brief, sharp pain to cold stimulation that resolves within seconds after the stimulus is removed. There is no spontaneous pain and no tenderness to percussion. What is the most likely pulpal diagnosis?

Reversible pulpitis is characterized by a transient, sharp pain response to cold (or hot) stimuli that resolves quickly upon removal of the stimulus. There is no spontaneous pain and no periapical pathology (normal PDL space on radiograph, no tenderness to percussion). The pulp retains the ability to heal if the irritant (caries, crack, or exposed dentin) is removed. Treatment consists of removing the cause (e.g., placing a restoration or sealing exposed dentin) without endodontic therapy. If untreated and the irritant persists, reversible pulpitis can progress to irreversible pulpitis.