Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

What is the typical treatment approach for a non-vital lateral incisor with no radiolucency?

1. No treatment indicated

2. Root canal therapy

3. Extraction of the tooth

4. Monitoring without intervention

The correct answer is: No treatment indicated

In cases of a non-vital lateral incisor that shows no radiolucency on radiographic examination, the typical treatment approach is often to indicate that no immediate treatment is necessary. This is because the absence of radiolucency suggests that there is no significant periapical pathology or infection associated with the tooth at that time. Non-vitality could arise from various causes, such as trauma or pulp necrosis, but if the tooth does not exhibit signs of apical periodontitis or other complications, it may not require intervention. Monitoring the tooth over time to ensure that no further symptoms develop can be a prudent course of action, but this aligns closely with the idea that no treatment may be indicated at the moment. In contrast, options like root canal therapy or extraction would typically be considered if there was evidence of infection or periapical issues. Therefore, the absence of radiolucency plays a crucial role in determining that immediate treatment might not be warranted.