Chapter 9- Dental Pulp Flashcards
Human beings have how many pulps in their teeth?
20 Primary and 32 Permanent = 52 TOTAL
Name the two forms of pulpal tissue.
Coronal Pulp: occupies crown of tooth (much larger than root pulp)
Radicular Pulp: occupies root
Why do pulp horns recede with age?
With age, the decrease comes from continued Dentin formation
The _____ is the opening of root pulp into the periodontium.
Apical foramen
Where are accessory canals located?
If several apical canals exist, the larger is called the apical foramen and the more lateral ones are called accessory canals.
What are pulp horns and what is a potential problem?
Pulp horns are protrusions that extend into the cusp of the teeth.
They are important because they could present a potential problem for pulp exposure.
What causes accessory canals?
Results from the presence of blood vessels obstructing Dentin formation or from a break in the epithelial root sheath that introduces initial root formation
Which cells line the perimeter of the pulp at the initiation of Dentin formation?
Odontoblasts
What are the most numerous cells in pulp and what do they produce?
Fibroblasts produce collagen fibers and ground substance
Where are pulpal nerve endings located?
Most pulpal nerve endings are in the odontogenic region of the pulpal horns
What are pulpal nerve endings function?
Presumed to function in pain reception
What keeps the pulp organ alive?
External carotid arteries
Functions of the pulp
- provides vitality to the teeth with its cells, nerves, & blood vessels
- Inductive: initiates teeth formation
- Formative: pulp odontoblasts form Dentin
- Protective: Responds to stimuli
- Nutritive: carries oxygen and nutrition
- Reparative: Formation is reactionary and reparative Dentin
