Dental Pulp Flashcards
What does connective tissue contain?
- blood
- nerves
- fibroblasts
What are fibroblasts for?
collagen turnover
What are functions of the dental pulp?
- dentine formation
- defence
- repair
- sense
What are the 4 zones of dental pulp?
- pulp core
- cell rich zone
- cell-free zone of Weil
- odontoblast layer
What are odontoblasts?
specialised ectomesenchyme cells
What do odontoblasts produce if mildly irritated?
reactionary tertiary dentine
What type of cells retain embryonic potential, decrease with age, and form fibroblasts/ odontoblasts?
Stem cells (DPSCs)
What if the function of fibroblasts?
slow turnover of ECM components (collagen)
What defence cells are present in dental pulp?
macrophages and T-lymphocytes
What is the ratio percentage of collagen fibres in dental pulp?
60% type I
40% type III
What type of nerves are sympathetic vasoconstrictors and vasodilators?
Efferent autonomic nerves
What nerves in the dental pulp result in pain and increased blood flow when stimulated?
afferent nerves
What does dentinal fluid contain?
- proteins
- glycoproteins
- polysaccharides
What way does fluid flow when tubules are opened?
outwards
How does outwards fluid flow affect cavities?
Cavities get wet at the base which affects bonding
What does fluid flow change with?
Pulpal pressure
What type of nerve fibres are in dental pulp?
90% ADelta
10% ABeta
Where is the Plexus of Raschkow?
Cell free zone
Where is the marginal plexus?
around odontoblasts
What happens to dental pulp as age increases?
Pulp volume decreases as number of undifferentiated cells decrease
How does pulp sensitivity change with age?
Pulp sensitivity decreases as pulp becomes less vascular and contains less nerves
What else may happen to pulp with age?
It may calcify/ pulp stones or denticles may arise
What are true pulp stones?
tubular structure from odontoblast like cells
What are false pulp stones?
calcified fibrous tissue
