Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test

The presence of multiple microabscesses within the pulp indicates that there is an ongoing inflammatory response and significant tissue damage. This situation usually leads to the body's inability to effectively contain the infection, resulting in further tissue breakdown. Over time, this inflammation can progress to necrosis, which is the death of the dental pulp tissue.

Necrosis is characterized by the irreversible loss of pulp vitality, meaning that the pulp tissue can no longer function or respond to stimuli. This leads to the progression of symptoms such as pain, swelling, and ultimately an abscess formation if not treated. Given that the pulp's ability to heal is compromised by the presence of multiple microabscesses, necrosis becomes the most likely outcome. In contrast, options such as complete healing or reduction in inflammation would typically require a resolution of the initial infection and restoration of the pulp, which is unlikely in the case of multiple microabscesses. Pulpitis, while relevant as it describes the inflammation of pulp, does not capture the eventual outcome that follows the presence of microabscesses. Thus, necrosis is the correct outcome when considering the progression of a pulp with such pathological changes.