A mandibular incisor exhibits a large pulp chamber and periapical radiolucency. What could be the cause of the large pulp chamber?

A mandibular incisor exhibits a large pulp chamber and periapical radiolucency. What could be the cause of the large pulp chamber?

• A. Decay
• B. Trauma after eruption
• C. Genetic factors
• D. Chronic infection

Answer: (B)

A large pulp chamber in a mandibular incisor, accompanied by a periapical radiolucency, can be indicative of trauma after eruption. Trauma can lead to an increased size of the pulp chamber as the tooth attempts to compensate for the injury. In cases of trauma, especially if the incisor has been subjected to physical impact, the pulp may undergo a hypertrophic response, resulting in a larger than normal pulp chamber. This response is the tooth's way of attempting to maintain vitality and function. The presence of the periapical radiolucency suggests that there may be ongoing pathologic changes, often related to necrosis or inflammation stemming from the initial trauma. In such scenarios, the tooth may also be in conflict with external factors such as bacteria, leading to complications that can further affect the pulp chamber size. Other factors such as decay, genetic influences, and chronic infection can lead to changes in the pulp chamber, but they typically do not result in the same immediate and drastic enlargement seen with trauma. For instance, decay tends to result in pulp inflammation and potential necrosis rather than an increase in size of the pulp chamber itself. Genetic factors might influence overall pulp morphology but are less likely to cause sudden changes post-eruption. Chronic

A large pulp chamber in a mandibular incisor, accompanied by a periapical radiolucency, can be indicative of trauma after eruption. Trauma can lead to an increased size of the pulp chamber as the tooth attempts to compensate for the injury. In cases of trauma, especially if the incisor has been subjected to physical impact, the pulp may undergo a hypertrophic response, resulting in a larger than normal pulp chamber. This response is the tooth's way of attempting to maintain vitality and function.

The presence of the periapical radiolucency suggests that there may be ongoing pathologic changes, often related to necrosis or inflammation stemming from the initial trauma. In such scenarios, the tooth may also be in conflict with external factors such as bacteria, leading to complications that can further affect the pulp chamber size.

Other factors such as decay, genetic influences, and chronic infection can lead to changes in the pulp chamber, but they typically do not result in the same immediate and drastic enlargement seen with trauma. For instance, decay tends to result in pulp inflammation and potential necrosis rather than an increase in size of the pulp chamber itself. Genetic factors might influence overall pulp morphology but are less likely to cause sudden changes post-eruption. Chronic