Table 1.

Diagnostic classification of pulpitis between AAE²⁰ and Wolters et al.⁵⁹

AAE classification	Wolters classification	Clinical symptoms	Histological situation	Therapy
Reversible pulpitis	Initial pulpitis	Heightened but not lengthened response to the cold test. No spontaneous pain or percussion sensitivity.	Limited local inflammation is confined to a coronal pulp.	Indirect pulp capping
Reversible pulpitis	Mild pulpitis	Heightened and lengthened reaction to cold, warm, and sweet stimuli that can last up to 20 s. No spontaneous pain but possible percussion sensitivity.	Limited local inflammation is confined to a coronal pulp.	Indirect pulp capping
Irreversible pulpitis	Moderate pulpitis	Strong, heightened, and prolonged reaction to cold, which can last for minutes. Spontaneous dull pain that can be suppressed with pain medication, and possible percussion sensitivity.	Extensive local inflammation confined to coronal pulp.	PP/FP
Irreversible pulpitis	Severe pulpitis	Clear pain reaction to warmth and cold stimuli. Severe spontaneous sharp or dull pain and very sensitive to percussion.	Extensive local inflammation of coronal pulp possibly extending into root canals.	FP-if hemostasis can be achieved. RCT-if hemostasis failed.