Pulp Vitality Testing — NDEB AFK MCQ
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Correct answer: B — Blood flow assessment by laser Doppler flowmetry
Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is the most reliable indicator of true pulp vitality because it directly measures pulp blood flow. Conventional tests (cold, heat, electric pulp testing) are sensibility tests that measure neural response, not blood flow, and can produce false-positive and false-negative results (particularly in traumatised, recently erupted, or heavily restored teeth). However, LDF is not widely available in clinical practice, so cold testing remains the most commonly used initial test.
Reference: Torabinejad – Endodontics: Principles and Practice, 6th ed., 2021