HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What is indicated when a tooth is assessed as non-vital by a vitality scanner?

1. The tooth has severe decay

2. The tooth is infected

3. The tooth pulp is dead

4. The tooth requires a root canal

The correct answer is: The tooth pulp is dead

When a tooth is assessed as non-vital by a vitality scanner, it indicates that the tooth pulp is dead. This assessment typically signifies that the blood supply to the tooth has been compromised or has ceased altogether, which renders the tooth unable to respond to stimuli that typically elicit a sensation of vitality, such as heat or cold. A vitality scanner checks the responsiveness of the dental pulp to electric stimuli. If there is no response, it suggests necrosis of the pulp tissue, meaning the nerve and blood vessels within the tooth have died. This condition can occur due to a variety of reasons, including trauma, extensive decay, or other dental health issues that compromise the integrity of the pulp. While a non-vital tooth may be associated with severe decay or infection, these are not definitive indicators on their own for being classified as non-vital. Similarly, while a root canal treatment may ultimately be recommended for a non-vital tooth, the assessment by the vitality scanner specifically reveals the state of the pulp tissue rather than the treatment plan that will follow.