A patient has no symptoms, but there is a small 'gum boil' on the buccal gingiva of tooth 2.5. Tooth 2.5 does not respond to pulp testing. A gutta-percha cone inserted into the opening points to a periapical radiolucency on the tooth. What is the most appropriate periapical diagnosis?

  • Correct answer

    Chronic apical abscess

  • Acute apical abscess

  • Symptomatic apical periodontitis

  • Normal apical tissues

This question is one of 15 in AFK practice: Endodontics. Test yourself on all of them.

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Explanations

  • A chronic apical abscess has a gradual onset, little or no discomfort and intermittent drainage through a sinus tract, which can be traced to its source with gutta-percha. An acute apical abscess is painful and usually presents with swelling, not a draining sinus.

    Source: AAE Consensus Conference Recommended Diagnostic Terminology (J Endod 2009) — oneguy

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