Microscopic Anatomy of Enamel, Dentin, Pulp Flashcards
Exam 2 Prep OBJECTIVES
What is the function of enamel?
- Hardest material in body
- Provides hard surface for chewing and speech
- Resists diseases such as dental caries as well as fractures
What are the components of dentin?
- Dentinal Tubule
- Dentinal Fluid
- Odontoblastic Process
How is enamel produced?
- Enamel is produced by ameloblasts
- Is laid down in layers
- Begins at the crown tips and moves cervically
Discuss the use of fluorides in prevention and
remineralization
Post-eruptive maturation/mineralization of enamel is due to mineral deposition such as fluoride and calcium from the saliva into
hypomineralized areas of enamel
Enamel matrix
30% mineralized
What are the different pulpal zones?
Odontoblastic Layer
Cell-free zone
Cell-rich zone
Pulpal Core
Discuss the changes to the pulp that come with aging
DECREASE in cellular substance as it fills with increased amount of collagen fibers
- Decrease in numbers of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells
- Pulp becomes more fibrotic with age
- Pulp cavity may be made smaller by the addition of secondary or tertiary dentin
Outer layer of crown
enamel
Composed of a crystalline material that is the
hardest material in the body
enamel
Avascular
enamel
Crystalline formation consists of mainly calcium hydroxyapatite
enamel
96% inorganic
Enamel
Provides hard surface for chewing and speech
Enamel
Resists diseases such as dental caries as well as fractures
Enamel
Outer pulpal wall, consists of cell bodies of odontoblasts
Odontoblastic layer
What is the cell-free zone?
Contains fewer cells than
odontoblastic layer; nerve and
capillary plexus is located here
What is the cell rich zone?
Contains increased density of
cells and has a more extensive
vascular system
What is the pulpal core?
Located in the center of the pulp chamber, has many cells and an extensive vascular supply
What is the function of dentin?
- Absorbs forces, shock, absorber
describe the location of pulp
- Contained within pulp chamber
- Coronal Pulp/Pulp Horns
- Radicular Pulp/Canals
- Apical Foramen/Opening from pulp at the root tip
- Accessory canals
What is the function of pulp?
- Nutritive and supportive layer
- Cells can transform into fibroblast and odontoblast if needed after injury
Location of dentin
-Middle layer of crown and root
Location of enamel
Is laid down in layers
-Begins at the crown tips and moves cervically
What are enamel rods and where are they located?
- Keyhole shape stacked in rows
- Extend from enamel from the DEJ to the outer surface
What are dentinal tubules and where are they located?
Long tubes in dentin that extend from DEJ and DCJ to pulp
Where is the dentinal fluid located?
Located in tubule and surrounds the odontoblastic process
What and where is the odontoblastic process ?
Cellular extension of odontoblast located in tubule
What are the components of pulp?
- Fibroblasts are largest group of cells, followed
by odontoblasts
-Pulp also contains undifferentiated cells
Describe the processes/features of apposition
and maturation dentin?
- Dentinal tubules extend from the DEJ or DCJ to the outer wall of the pulp
- Odontoblastic process located within the dentinal tubules