Dentine and Pulp Flashcards
What is dentine?
It is a tissue that supports enamel and forms the bulk of the tooth. It is made up of permeable tubules that contain cell processes.
Describe dentine compared to enamel in terms of strength and hardness?
It is softer than enamel. It has greater compressive and tensile strength than enamel.
What is the hydroxyapatite content of dentine?
70% weight (50% volume)
What is the water content of dentine?
10% weight (20% volume)
What is the organic matrix content of dentine?
20% weight (30% volume)
What is the primary and secondary curvature of dentine?
Primary curvature - shaped curve.
Secondary - wavy
What is the odontoblasts cell structure?
They are pseudo stratified
What are the contents of dentinal tubules?
Odontoblasts processes (penetrating dentine), unmyelinated nerve terminals (sensory), dendritic cells from the immune system and dentinal fluid/ECF from pulp.
What is the dentinal pulp?
Connective tissue core of the tooth.
What does the pulp contain?
Odontoblasts, fibroblasts, defence cells. Fibres such as collagen and oxytalan. Matrix such as proteoglycans, chondroitin and dermatan. Nerves - sensory and ANS - sympathetic. Blood vessels and lymphatics.
What are the functions of pulp?
Nutritive (feeds odontoblasts), dentine growth and repair, defence (immune and lymphatics) and neural (sensory).
What is primary dentine?
Until the tooth is completely formed.
What is secondary dentine?
After the tooth has fully formed.
What is tertiary dentine?
Repairing of dentine.
