Endodontics · single question
A patient with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and symptomatic apical periodontitis presents for care. Which of the following phases of treatment is indicated?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Acute
The phases of dental treatment are: Acute (emergency relief of pain/infection), Disease control (caries removal, extractions of hopeless teeth, scaling), Definitive (complex restorative/surgical treatment), and Maintenance. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with symptomatic apical periodontitis represents an acute emergency — the patient has pain from an active infection/inflammation. This falls under the ACUTE phase of treatment.
- A. CORRECT. The acute phase addresses pain, infection, and emergencies. Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with symptomatic apical periodontitis is an acute pain condition requiring immediate emergency treatment (pulpectomy/emergency RCT or extraction).
- B. INCORRECT. Definitive treatment involves final restorations, implants, prostheses — these come after disease is controlled.
- C. INCORRECT. Disease control involves systematic removal of etiologic factors (caries, calculus) and is not the phase for acute pain emergencies.
- D. INCORRECT. Maintenance (supportive periodontal therapy, recall) occurs after all definitive treatment is complete.