Pulp Flashcards
Pulp
Soft connective tissue that supports dentin
What are some unique features of pulp?
Vascular
Not calcified
What is the embryonic origin of the pulp?
Ectoderm - neural crest ectomesenchyme - dental papilla
What are some contents of pulp?
Cells and cellular elements
Blood and lymphatic vessels
Extracellular matrix
What are the functions of pulp?
Inductive Formative Nutritive Protective Defensive/Repairative
Inductive function of pulp
Very early in development, it is involved in inducing transition from dental lamina to bud stage
Nutritive function of pulp
Helps supply the dentin with nutrients and water
What changes might an endodontically treated tooth undergo?
Dentin will become more brittle because pulp can bring nutrients
What are the protective mechanisms of the pulp?
Sensory mechanism
Barrier
Sensory mechanism of pulpal protection
Nerve fibers travel in the pulp, which inform us if the tooth is injured, causing us to use the tooth less, preventing further damage
Barrier mechanism of pulpal protection
Pulp are under positive pressure at odontoblast junctions - if there is a break, the positive pressure forces things out into the oral cavity, protecting the underlying pulp
Defensive/repairative mechanisms of pulp
Immune system
Formation of new dentin and pulp
What are the types of foramina of the pulp?
Apical foramen
Accessory foramen
What happens to pulp chambers as we age?
They get smaller - making endo more difficult with older patients
Pulp has more cells at a young age and more extracellular matrix in older ages
T/F - the pulp is never calcified
False - it is common to have ectopic calcifications
What are the types of ectopic calcifications?
Pulp stones
Diffuse calcifications
Pulp stones
Ectopic calcification commonly found in pulp chamber in crown of the tooth
Spherical or ovoid
No clear cause
Diffuse calcifications
Ectopic calcification often found near blood vessels
Are ectopic calcifications problematic?
Not likely, mostly likely just an annoyance if you’re an endodontist
What are the zones of the pulp?
Odontogenic zone
Pulp core
Odontogenic zone layers
Odontoblast layer
Cell free zone
Cell rich zone
Odontoblast layer
Most superficial layer of odontogenic zone
Single layer of odontoblasts lining the pulp dentin border
Can look like multiple layers, but its likely an artifact of how the slide was cut
Cell free zone
Cells are less prominent
Middle layer of odontogenic zone
Cell rich zone
Increase concentration of fibroblasts
Deep layer of odontogenic zone