Lesson 8 - Part 3

Question 1

Describe the anatomy of the pulp

Answer 1

1. Coronal Pulp - Occupies the crown; Pulp horns which protrude into the cusps
2. Radicular Pulp - Cervical region to the apex; Tapered or conical
3. Apical foramen: opening of the pulp to the periodontal ligament space

Question 2

What are the functions of the pulp?

Answer 2

1. Inductive - dental papilla interacts with oral epithelium to initiate tooth formation
2. Formative - Odontoblasts line the pulpal walls; Dentin surrounds and protects the pulp
3. Protective - Response to stimuli can cause inflammation
4. Nutritive - blood vessels supply oxygen and nutrition to the developing and function tooth
5. Reparative - Response to stimuli can cause tertiary/reparative dentin formation

Question 3

What is contained in the central pulp? (connective tissue)

Answer 3

1. Arteries
2. Myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers
3. Fibroblasts
4. Odontoblasts
5. Collagen fibers
6. Large veins
7. Intercellular matrix

Question 4

Cells found in the dental pulp include…

Answer 4

fibroblasts, odontoblasts, defense cells like lymphocytes, granulocytes, mast cells, and plasma cells

Question 5

As in all connective tissues, the _________are the largest group of cells in the pulp

Answer 5

fibroblasts

Question 6

The __________ are the second largest group of cells in the pulp, but only their cell bodies are located in the pulp.

Answer 6

odontoblasts

*The odontoblasts are located only along the outer pulpal wall

Question 7

Describe the histology of the pulp

Answer 7

1. Odontoblastic layer - Most cellular density
2. Cell Free zone - Nerve & capillary plexus
3. Cell Rich zone - Increased density of cells; Extensive vascular system

Question 8

Describe the vascularity of the pulp

Answer 8

1. Vessel walls are thin
2. Branches of vessels to plexus adjacent to the odontoblastic zone
3. Blood flow rapid
4. Blood pressure is high

Question 9

Describe the Nerves of the pulp

Answer 9

1. Nerve trunks traverse to the coronal pulp and branch extensively
2. Young molar - 500 myelinated axons; 1500 unmyelinated axons
3. Nerve endings - Terminate among the odontoblast; OR extend into the dentinal tubules with the odontoblastic process

Question 10

Describe Accessory/lateral canals of the pulp

Answer 10

1. lateral to the apical foramen
2. 33%-50% permanent teeth have accessory canals
3. Inflammation of the pulp can spread to the PDL (vice versa)

Question 11

Describe pulp stones

Answer 11

1. They are quite common and may fill most of the pulp chamber.
2. They are detected as radiopaque masses in radiographs and are only a problem during endodontic therapy.

Question 12

Describe pulpal pain

Answer 12

1. Highly sensitive to - Temperature changes, Electrical stimuli, Chemical stimuli, pressure
2. Nerve endings in the odontoblastic zone
3. Recall the hydrodynamic theory of sensitivity

Question 13

Describe pulpal inflammation

Answer 13

1. Irritant resulted in lymphocytes, leukocytes and macrophages responding causing inflammation
2. Increased fluid/cells in a restricted area puts pressure on the nerve endings causing PAIN

Question 14

Describe aging pulp

Answer 14

1. Size of pulp decreases: increase in secondary dentin and tertiary dentin
2. Increase in number of fibers
3. Decrease in number of cells
4. Decrease in vascularity
5. Calcified Pulp