PB-1 - Conundrum of Pulpal Diagnosis Part 1

Deciding when and how to clinically intervene in a tooth with deep caries and a vital pulp poses a significant challenge for clinicians. The existing endodontic diagnostic system, which attempts to differentiate between reversible and irreversible inflammation in the pulp tissues, heavily relies on a patient's pain history and chairside clinical tests. However, there is limited evidence supporting the ability of such subjective tests and pain history to accurately identify true disease in the dental pulp. This complexity is compounded by the recent promotion of vital pulp therapy as an alternative to root canal treatment. Inaccurate pulpal diagnosis can lead to unnecessary treatments which ultimately may not address the patient’s chief complaint and contribute to premature tooth loss.This session brings together a panel of global experts to explore the current state of accurately diagnosing pulpal disease, highlighting limitations of existing measures and classifications, as well as discussing the potential role of objective tools such as biomarkers in precise diagnosis and guiding appropriate treatment interventions for pulpitis. Furthermore, our session will explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing endodontic diagnosis. We will investigate the feasibility of AI improving the accuracy and efficiency of endodontic diagnosis, thereby expanding the possibilities in patient care and treatment. planning. There will also be opportunity for audience engagement and questions/discussion.