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Pediatric Dentistry · single question

An 8-year-old patient has an Ellis Class 1 fracture (enamel only chip) with POSITIVE pulp test. The BEST treatment is:

  1. Enameloplasty (smooth the sharp enamel edge) — no further treatment needed for small enamel fracture with vital pulp
  2. Root canal treatment
  3. Pulp capping with MTA
  4. Extraction
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Correct answer: A. Enameloplasty (smooth the sharp enamel edge) — no further treatment needed for small enamel fracture with vital pulp

  • A. Correct. ELLIS CLASS 1: fracture involving ENAMEL ONLY. With a positive (vital) pulp test confirming pulp vitality and only a small enamel chip: ENAMELOPLASTY (polishing/smoothing the sharp edge) is sufficient. No restorative material needed for very small chips; composite bonding for moderate-sized fractures of enamel only. No pulpal treatment needed.
  • B. Root canal treatment would be gross overtreatment for a vital tooth with enamel-only fracture.
  • C. Pulp capping with MTA is indicated for ELLIS CLASS 3 (pulp exposure) — not enamel-only fractures.
  • D. Extraction is completely unwarranted for a vital tooth with enamel-only fracture.

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