Which statement about vitality tests is true?

• A. They assess bone density
• B. They measure occlusal force
• C. They determine whether a tooth is vital
• D. They image the pulp chamber

Answer: (C)

Vitality tests are used to determine if the dental pulp inside a tooth is alive and has a blood supply. A vital tooth typically responds to stimuli (like a cold test or an electric pulp test), showing the pulp is still sensate. If there’s no response or an abnormal response, the pulp may be non-vital or necrotic, which helps guide treatment decisions such as whether endodontic therapy is needed. These tests do not measure bone density, do not assess occlusal force, and do not image the pulp chamber—imaging of the pulp or surrounding bone is done with radiographs or CBCT. So, the true statement is that vitality tests determine whether a tooth is vital.