Dental OSCE 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In the scenario where a lateral incisor is negative to vitality testing and asymptomatic, the recommended approach is to refrain from any immediate intervention. When a tooth is asymptomatic and does not respond to vitality tests, it may indicate pulp necrosis or a non-vital status; however, the absence of symptoms suggests that the tooth is not causing any issues to the surrounding structures or the patient.

In such cases, the rationale for opting for no treatment hinges on the principle of preserving tooth structure and delaying invasive procedures until they are absolutely necessary. Teeth can remain non-vital without causing harm if they are asymptomatic. This means that the tooth does not currently need intervention as long as there are no signs of infection, abscess formation, or other complications.

Observation with follow-up can also be important, especially to monitor any changes in status, but the initial recommendation aligns with the understanding that not every non-vital tooth requires immediate root canal therapy or extraction, particularly in the absence of symptoms. Thus, maintaining the tooth unless there are clinical indications to proceed with treatment can be advantageous for preserving dental health.