Tooth #3: lingering pain >20 seconds on cold test. Tooth #2: negative on endo ice but has pain on percussion and palpation. Tooth #4: exaggerated but non-lingering pain on cold test. What is the diagnosis of Tooth #3?

Correct answer: A. Irreversible symptomatic pulpitis

• A. Correct. Lingering pain (>20 seconds) after a cold stimulus is the hallmark of irreversible (symptomatic) pulpitis.
• B. Reversible pulpitis presents with sharp pain to cold that resolves quickly once the stimulus is removed (not lingering).
• C. Pulp necrosis would present with NO response to cold (since the pulp is non-vital), not a lingering positive response.
• D. A normal pulp shows a brief, mild response to cold that resolves immediately, not a lingering response.