title: Identify and define all diagnostic terms for pulpal health and disease states.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Consensus Conference Subcommittee 2 was charged with the identification and definition of all diagnostic terms for pulpal health and disease states by using a systematic review of the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight databases were searched, and numerous widely recognized endodontic texts were consulted. For each reference the level of evidence was determined, and the findings were summarized by members of the subcommittee. Highest levels of evidence were always included when available. Areas of inquiry included quantification of pulpal pain, the designation of conditions that can be identified in the dental pulp, diagnostic terms that can best represent pulpal health and disease, and metrics used to arrive at such designations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of the findings of this inquiry, specific diagnostic terms for pulpal health and disease are suggested. In addition, numerous areas for further study were identified.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. levinlg@mac.com
authors.forename: Linda G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Alan S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: Paul V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Roda
mesh_terms: D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000502:physiology*; D003784:Dental Pulp Calcification / Q000175:diagnosis; D003788:Dental Pulp Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D012391:Root Resorption / Q000175:diagnosis; D009626:Terminology as Topic