Oral Biology Flashcards
How are enamel rods arranged at the ADJ?
Perpendicular to junction - at right angle
What is the composition of enamel?
Hydroxyapatite crystals - 95%
Water - 4%
Organic matrix (proteins) - 1%
What are the characteristics of enamel?
Very brittle, can resist abrasion. Requires underlying dentine to provide support or would be too brittle. translucent - line shines through, no colour
How are enamel rods formed?
Projections of cells at amelo-dentino junction, tomes processes found, contains ameloblasts. Contains many Rough ER and golgi apparatus, produces proteins which are then secreted into vesicles. Vesicles contain and release hydroxyapatite crystals into matrix of enamel, mineralising the matrix. forms enamel rods. crystallites are deposited at right angles to ameloblast membrane.
What is a dead tract?
When enamel becomes worn away, it can expose dentine. This forms a tract in which air and bacteria can get in to dentine, which then appears black.
what are the oblique lines seen in enamel?
Striae of retzius - these are oblique lines, running from surface to ADJ. They represent the growth pattern of enamel during crown formation.
What surface variations can be seen in enamel?
In anterior teeth, enamel is thickest at the incisal edge and thinnest at the cervical region. In posterior teeth, enamel is thickest at occlusal surfaces and thinnest at fissures. The thick regions are areas with a lot of wear. The thin regions are most vulnerable to caries.
What is the difference in composition and characteristics between enamel and dentine?
Dentine has a higher composition of water and organic matrix, and a lower composition of HA crystals. This allows it to be more resistant to tensile and compressive forces as it is much less brittle.
What area of the teeth is dentine thickest?
Areas where teeth are sliding on one another, e.g. cingulum
How is dentine arranged?
In dentinal tubules, which are laid down by odontoblasts at the pulp region. These tubules are enclosed by peritubular capsule. Between tubules is the inter-tubular space
What is the difference between dentine at the pulp and dentine closer to enamel?
Dentinal tubules at the pulp have a large diameter but are also very compact. This is because they are just fresh. At the enamel, the tubules have started to die so are much thinner and there is a lot less of them.
What is the primary and secondary curvature of dentine?
Primary curvature - tubules run in an s-shape from ADJ to pulp.
Secondary curvature - the curves of individual tubules
What is the difference between primary and secondary dentine?
Primary dentine is produced when the tooth is forming. It is laid down rapidly. Secondary dentine is continually produced once the tooth is formed. This replaces dead dentinal tubules. Secondary is at a much slower rate as there would not be enough space to accommodate the rate of primary dentine formation.
When is tertiary dentine produced?
After trauma, when dentine is damaged
What cells can be found in dentine?
odontoblasts, nerve cells (unmyelinated, often nociceptors), dendritic cells for immune function - never blood vessels
What is the function of the pulp?
To produce unmineralised dentine - predentine
provide nutrients to the tooth and contains immune cells to fight infection
What nerve fibres can be found in the pulp?
Sensory - for detecting pain and inflammation
autonomic - constriction of blood vessels, via sympathetic NS
What are calcospherites?
Clumps of pre-dentine which then becomes mineralised to become dentine
What structure is similar to cementum?
Bone - it is arranged in lamellae but linear instead of circular which is found in bone
What is the role of cementum?
To cover root dentine and for attachment of periodontal fibres
What is the difference between acellular and cellular cementum and where can each be found?
Cellular cementum contains cementocytes in lacunae, whereas acellular cementum has no cementocytes. Cellular can be found at the apex and in furcation areas. Acellular can be found adjacent to dentine at the cervical 2/3rds of the root.
What different fibres can be found in cementum?
Intrinsic fibres - often found in cellular cementum, as these fibres are produced within the cementum.
Extrinsic fibres - not produced in the cementum, arise from structures elsewhere. Often found in acellular cementum, also known as Sharpey’s fibres. These have an important role in stabilising the tooth
Describe the extracellular matrix of the periodontium.
Composed of long chain proteoglycans and glycoproteins. Makes the matrix gel-like, allowing it to absorb forces.
Where can plaque bacteria attack in the periodontium?
It can attack the side chains of the proteoglycans or glycoproteins, destroying the periodontium makes the tooth more mobile
What nerve fibres are present in the periodontal ligament?
Nociceptors - have a reflex loop, activated when we bite on something too hard, immediately open mouth.
Mechanoreceptors - to determine if food is soft or hard, detect load of PDL and alter bite
Autonomic - for vasoconstriction of blood vessels
What are the two types of PDL fibres and what is the difference between the two?
True fibres - attach alveolar bone to cementum of tooth.
Gingival fibres - run in the gingiva, attach tooth to tooth or tooth or bone to gingiva
What PDL fibres have a sling effect?
Oblique fibres, preventing stretching
In which 2 ways is oral mucosa protective?
Mechanical - many layers
Infection and immunity
where can lining mucosa be found?
buccal areas, soft palate
Where can masticatory mucosa be found?
gingiva and hard palate
What is the structure of lining mucosa and why does this suit the function?
Has a loose lamnia propria and submucosa, allows it to be distendible, crucial for the surrounding muscles and for impression taking