Endodontic emergency is defined as the exam­ ination, diagnosis, and treatment of a  person  who has developed or sustained pain, oral swelling, or traum a that involves the pulp and periapical  tissue of a tooth and which calls for prompt action.

Although the “prompt action” may reveal no pressing need for clinical i nte rve nt ion, it is still considered a form of care because it reass ure s the patient psychologically.