Table 1: Differential diagnosis between pulpal and periodontal pain.
| Acute Irreversible Pulpitis |
Periodontal Abscess |
| Pain is not always localized |
Pain is localized |
| Acute pain: piercing, throbbing and intermittent |
Dull continuous pain. Uniform |
| Pain sensitive to changes in temperature |
Pain not altered by changes in temperature |
| Painful to percussion |
Not painful to percussion |
| Altered vitality tests |
Normal vitality tests |
Main features indicating final diagnosis of acute irreversible pulpitis and periodontal abscess.