What differentiates reversible pulpitis from irreversible pulpitis?

Reversible pulpitis and irreversible pulpitis are differentiated primarily by the condition of the pulp tissue within the tooth. In reversible pulpitis, the pulp is inflamed but not necrotic, meaning the pulp tissue is still healthy enough to recover with appropriate treatment, such as the removal of irritants and addressing the cause of inflammation. Patients typically experience sensitivity to stimuli, but the pain is usually transient and can be alleviated.

In contrast, irreversible pulpitis occurs when the pulp tissue becomes necrotic due to prolonged inflammation, leading to severe pain that is often spontaneous and can persist after the removal of stimuli. This condition typically necessitates more invasive treatment options, such as root canal therapy or extraction of the tooth, as the pulp cannot recover.

The other choices relate to factors that may be present in dental conditions but do not specifically define the critical difference between reversible and irreversible pulpitis. For instance, the severity of gum inflammation, type of tooth trauma, and level of saliva production can create different clinical scenarios, but they do not serve as primary distinguishing factors between these two forms of pulpitis.