Clinical examination Pre-operative clinical examinations included a visual inspection of the extent of caries, gingival health, and adjacent soft tissue. A percussion test was performed, and the periodontal status was assessed. Pulpal sensibility was also assessed by cold test with Endo Ice F (Colten-Whaledent, Germany). Patients reporting sharp pain to cold test that did not linger were diagnosed with reversible pulpitis. Patients reporting severe lingering or spontaneous pain were diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis.