What pulpal response can a liner stimulate?

• A. Pulpal necrosis
• B. Dentin hypersensitivity
• C. Tertiary dentin formation
• D. Pulpal fibrosis

Answer: (C)

Liners protect the pulp and often prompt a regenerative reply from the pulp-dentin complex. When a liner is placed, substances like calcium hydroxide create a favorable, alkaline environment and provide ions that stimulate odontoblasts at the pulp boundary. In response, these cells lay down tertiary dentin (also called reparative dentin), forming a dentin bridge that seals off and shield the pulp from future irritation. This reparative dentin formation is the intended pulpal response to a liner.

Pulpal necrosis would mean the pulp tissue dies, which is not the goal of liner therapy. Dentin hypersensitivity is a sensory issue stemming from exposed tubules, not a direct pulpal response. Pulpal fibrosis is a chronic, less favorable change and not the typical protective reaction a liner is designed to evoke.