Dentine-Pulp Complex Flashcards
what does the dental pulp form?
the connective tissue ‘core’ of the tooth
what cells can be found within the pulp?
- fibroblasts
- odontoblasts
- defence cells
what is the function of odontoblasts within the pulp?
to produce dentine
what is the function of defence cells within the pulp?
to protect the tooth from infection
what are the extracellular components of the pulp?
- fibres
- matrix
what are examples of fibres found in the pulp & what is the function of fibres?
- collagen, oxytalan
- fibres form the backbone of the connective tissue
what makes up the matrix of the pulp & what is its function?
- proteoglycans, chondroitin, SO4
- the viscous elastic component
what type of nerves are found within the pulp?
- sensory
- autonomic
what is non-mineralised dentine known as?
pre-dentine
histologically, what are the dark lines seen in the dentine?
the dentinal tubules
what are some functions of the dental pulp?
- nutritive
- dentine growth
- dentine repair
- defence
- neural functions
how does the pulp provide a nutritive function?
- the vascular bed provides nutrients and removes waste
- essential for the pulp to allow dentine growth
what type of dentine is formed during normal growth of dentine?
- primary
- secondary
what type of dentine is formed during repair of dentine?
- tertiary
- occurs when there is aggression to the tissue
where is both the pulp and dentine derived from during dental development?
the dental papilla
where are odontoblasts found within the pulp?
at the periphery of the tissue
what close links can be found between the dentine and pulp?
- developmental
- structural
- functional
what is the most predominant extracellular matrix component in the pulp?
collagen
what structural links occur between the dentine and the pulp?
pulpal elements extend into dentine:
- odontoblast processes
- nerve terminals
- immune cells
- dentinal fluid
what do odontoblasts continue to do throughout life?
lay down secondary dentine
what type of cell is a fully differentiated odontoblast?
polarised columnar cell
- long cell process that extends into the pre-dentine and dentine within a dentinal tubule
what acts as a controlled barrier between pulp and dentine?
the odontoblast layer