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Endodontics · single question

An endo ice test FAILS to identify a vital tooth (the tooth IS vital but tests negative). This is called:

  1. True positive
  2. False negative
  3. False positive
  4. True negative
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. False negative

  • A. True positive: Test says vital AND the tooth IS vital — test correctly identified vitality.
  • B. FALSE NEGATIVE: The tooth IS vital (positive condition) but the test result is NEGATIVE (says no response = non-vital). This is a false negative — the test missed a truly vital tooth. Common reasons: calcified canals, recently traumatized tooth with temporary pulp stunning, teeth with multi-canals where some survive.
  • C. False positive: The test says the tooth IS vital (positive result) when it is actually NON-vital. The opposite of this scenario.
  • D. True negative: Test says non-vital AND the tooth IS non-vital — test correctly identified non-vitality.

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