The pulp is irritated, and the patient is experiencing pain in response to thermal stimuli. This condition is best described as:

• A. Reversible pulpitis
• B. Irreversible pulpitis
• C. Pulpal necrosis
• D. Normal pulp

Answer: (A)

The situation describes mild inflammation of the dental pulp that remains capable of healing. When the pulp is irritated and pain occurs only in response to a thermal stimulus, and the discomfort stops as soon as the stimulus is removed, the pulp is still vital and the inflammation is reversible. This pattern—short, sharp pain to cold or heat that does not linger after the stimulus ends and there is no spontaneous pain or periapical signs—fits reversible pulpitis. In contrast, irreversible pulpitis would involve persistent or spontaneous pain, or pain that lingers after the stimulus is removed, indicating a non-recoverable, ongoing inflammation. Pulpal necrosis would show little to no response to thermal testing due to loss of vitality, and normal pulp would not produce pain to thermal stimuli at all. Therefore, the described scenario aligns with reversible pulpitis.