Final answer:
The best treatment for nonperforating internal resorption in a vital and asymptomatic tooth is to remove the pulp, use calcium hydroxide until the defect recalcifies, then proceed with endodontic treatment to save the tooth and maintain its functionality.
Step-by-step explanation:
When nonperforating internal resorption is identified in a vital and asymptomatic tooth, the best course of treatment is to remove the pulp, place calcium hydroxide until the resorption defect recalcifies, and then proceed with endodontic treatment. This would correspond to option C: remove the pulp, place calcium hydroxide until the resorption defect recalcifies and proceed with endodontic treatment. Internal resorption is a condition where the tooth's dentin is resorbed from within the pulp chamber or root canal.
Beginning the procedure with removal of the affected pulp, the focus then shifts to placing calcium hydroxide to promote the healing and hardening of the tissue at the site of resorption. This promotes the formation of hard tissue and potentially helps to halt the resorptive process. Afterward, endodontic treatment is performed to fully clean, shape and seal the pulp space, preventing reinfection and further resorption.
The rationale behind this approach is to not only eliminate the pathology but also to preserve the structural integrity of the tooth. This is critical, as alternative treatments like extraction may not be necessary or desirable if the tooth can be maintained in a healthy state with endodontic therapy. Endodontic treatment aims to save the tooth and maintain its functionality, which is often the preferred outcome for dental retention and optimal oral health.