What type of tooth is most commonly associated with condensing osteitis?

Condensing osteitis is a bony response that occurs in the mandible or maxilla due to inflammation from the pulp of a tooth, typically associated with non-vital teeth. This condition arises when there is chronic irritation from poorly treated caries or a necrotic pulp. The body reacts to this inflammation by forming a localized area of increased bone density around the affected tooth root.

In the context of dental conditions, non-vital teeth often present with pulp necrosis, leading to an inflammatory response that stimulates the body to build up bone in that area. Thus, the association with non-vital teeth is strong because the inflammatory process initiated from the pulp is the primary trigger for the development of condensing osteitis.

The other options, while related to dental health, do not directly correlate with the histological and clinical findings typical of condensing osteitis. Vital molars may not exhibit the same inflammatory response since the pulp is still healthy and vital. Recently extracted teeth would not be viable candidates for condensing osteitis, as the inflammatory process associated with a tooth needing endodontic treatment would cease to exist once the tooth is removed. Periodontally healthy teeth would not present these types of changes in the surrounding bone as they are not infl