Which statement best describes vitality testing in dentistry?

• A. It determines vitality of a tooth
• B. It measures bone density
• C. It assesses occlusion
• D. It tests saliva composition

Answer: (A)

Vitality testing focuses on whether the tooth’s pulp is alive and able to respond to stimuli. In practice, clinicians use thermal tests and electric pulp testing to see if the patient feels sensation from the tooth. A positive response suggests the pulp is vital, while no response points to a non-vital or necrotic pulp. This helps differentiate conditions like reversible or irreversible pulpitis from dead pulp when planning treatment. The other options describe different assessments: bone density relates to the supporting bone, occlusion to how teeth contact each other, and saliva composition to saliva, not pulp health.