Care of the Pulp

Question 1

What is contained in the pulp?

Answer 1

• cells
  
  • odontoblasts
• nerves
  
  • plexus of raschkow
  • alpha fibres
    - myelinated
    - sharp pain
  • C-fibres
    - unmyelinated
    - dull/aching
• blood vessels
• vital tissue
  
  • responds to stimuli
  • regenerative potential
• part of dentine pulp complex

Question 2

What are the functions of the pulp?

Answer 2

• nutrition
• sensory
  
  • temperature
  • pressure
  • pain
• protective
  
  • tertiary dentine formation
  • reparative healing
• formative
  
  • secondary dentine

Question 3

What are signs of non-vital teeth?

Answer 3

• discolouration
  
  • yellow
    - obliteration of dentinal tubules
  • grey
    - blood breakdown in tooth
  • pink
    - resorptive process occurring inside tooth
• sinus
• gross caries
  
  • encroaching on pulp
• large restoration
  
  • deep enough to involve pulp
• radiographic evidence
  
  • periapical radiolucency
  • periradicular radiolucency