Dentine-Pulp Complex Flashcards
what is the dental pulp
the connective tissue ‘core’ of the tooth
what does the dental pulp contain
cells extracellular components nerves blood vessels lymphatics
what are the cells in the dental pulp
odontoblasts
fibroblasts
defence cells
what are the extracellular components of pulp
fibres (collagen, oxytalan)
matrix (proteoglycans, chondroitin SO4, dermatan SO4)
what are the nerves of the pulp
sensory autonomic (sympathetic)
what are the functions of the dental pulp
nutritive (blood vessels) dentine growth dentine repair defence neural
what is the function of the neural function of the dental pulp
sensory - pain - everything is felt as pain
control of dentinogenesis
what are the 3 types of links between dentine and pulp
developmental
structural
functional
what is the developmental link between dentine and pulp
they both develop from the dental papilla
what is the structural link between dentine and pulp
some plural elements extend into dentine
what pulpal elements extend into dentine
- Odontoblast processes
- Nerve terminals
- Immune cells (dendritic cells)
- Dentinal fluid
what are the functional links between dentine and pulp
formation of secondary dentine
formation of tertiary dentine in response to tooth wear (reactionary and reparative dentine)
regulate exchange of material between dentine and pulp
describe the hemodynamics and hydrodynamics of the pulp
fluid leaks from pulp capillaries into interstitial space due to pressure
fluid passes along dentinal tubules resulting in dentinal fluid
flow of dentinal fluid is proportional to pulp pressure
believed to have defence role
what are the different ways tooth wear can happen
o Mastication (abrasion) o Bruxism (attrition) o Abfraction (occlusal overload leads to fractures and cervical lesions) o Diet (erosion) o Caries – pathological o Operative procedures
how can operative procedures result in tooth wear
Occlusal equilibrium (used to cut teeth to give individuals a better occlusal arrangement)
Cavity cutting; crown preparation etc – if this reaches dentine then this can cause a reaction
when is tertiary dentine formed
When you expose the dentine you may create a reaction of the dentine-pulp complex to produce dentine, this dentine is referred to as tertiary dentine
what is reactionary dentine
It is in response to mild stimulus
The response is mild and the dentine is laid down by primary odontoblasts
what is reparative dentine
It is in response to intense stimulus that has destroyed the primary odontoblasts
It is laid down by secondary odontoblasts (stem cells)
what can the odontoblast layer be considered as
a permeability barrier
separates the pulp and tubular space
regulates movement of material between the 2 - movement may be in either direction
what materials move from the pulp to the dentine
nutrients, to sustain cells
formation of secondary and tertiary dentine
potassium needed for function of tubular nerves