Pulp Flashcards

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1
Q

What are 5` functions of dental pulp?

A
  1. Inductive - Initiates tooth formation
  2. Formative - Odontoblasts surround pulp
  3. Protective - Responds to stimuli
  4. Nutritive - Carries oxygen and nutrients to tooth
  5. Reparative - Formation of tertiary dentin
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2
Q

What tissue type is the dental pulp?

A

Specialised loose CT

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3
Q

Where is the dental pulp derived from?

A

Dental papilla

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4
Q

Where is dental pulp found?

A

Pulp chamber and root canals of the tooth

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5
Q

What are the 2 anatomical regions of the pulp?

A
  1. Coronal Pulp

2. Radicular Pulp

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6
Q

Where is the coronal pulp found?

A

The crown of the tooth

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7
Q

What are the 6 surfaces of the coronal pulp?

A
  1. Mesial
  2. Distal
  3. Buccal
  4. Lingual
  5. Occlusal
  6. Floor
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8
Q

Where is radicular pulp found?

A

Root of the tooth

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9
Q

From the outermost layer to the innermost layer, what are the 4 histological zones of the dental pulp?

A
  1. Odontoblastic zone
  2. Cell-free zone
  3. Cell-rich zone
  4. Pulp core
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10
Q

Name 4 cell types found in the pulp

A
  1. Odontoblasts
  2. Fibroblasts
  3. Undifferentiated mesenchymal cells
  4. Defence cells
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11
Q

What is the function of fibroblasts?

A

Make the matrix components of pulp i.e. fibres and ground substance

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12
Q

Where are fibroblasts found?

A

Cell-rich zone

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13
Q

What is the function of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells?

A

Pools of cells from which new odontoblasts or fibroblasts can be derived

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14
Q

What are 4 components of the pulp matrix?

A
  1. Fibres
  2. Glycosaminoglycans
  3. Proteoglycans
  4. Glycoproteins
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15
Q

What 2 things make up the fibres found in the pulp matrix?

A
  1. Collagen Type I

2. Collagen Type II

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16
Q

Name 3 GAGs found in the pulp matrix?

A
  1. Hyaluronic acid
  2. Dermatan sulphate
  3. Chondroitin sulphate
17
Q

What are proteoglycans?

A

Protein core and a GAG

18
Q

What are the 3 levels of vascular supply to the pulp?

A
  1. External carotid arteries
  2. Superior and inferior alveolar arteries
  3. Pulpal arterioles
19
Q

Where are most of the nerve ends found in the dental pulp?

A

Odontoblasts, cell-free zone or dentinal tubules

20
Q

What is the nerve plexus of the crown found beneath the odontoblasts?

A

Plexus of Raschkow

21
Q

What are 4 ways hypersensitivity of the pulp can be triggered?

A
  1. Temperature
  2. Mechanical pressure
  3. Chemical exposure
  4. Dehydration
22
Q

What were the 3 theories put forward to explain sensitivity?

A
  1. Direct innervation
  2. Transduction
  3. Hydrodynamic
23
Q

What is the direct innervation theory?

A

Nerve fibres extend through entire dentinal tubule and directly transmit pain

24
Q

What is the transduction theory?

A

Odontoblasts act as receptors for pain and transmit signal to nerves

25
Q

Why is the direct innervation theory wrong?

A

Plexus of Raschkow is not mature until complete tooth eruption

26
Q

Why is the transduction theory wrong?

A

No synapse is found between odontoblasts and nerves

27
Q

What is the hydrodynamic theory?

A

Stimuli cause movement of dentinal fluid which causes depolarisation of nerve endings at dentin-pulp interface

28
Q

How does cold and chemical stimuli cause dentinal fluid to move?

A

Outward flow of fluid

29
Q

How does mechanical and hot stimuli cause dentinal fluid to move?

A

Inward flow of fluid

30
Q

What are 4 age-related changes to pulp?

A
  1. Pulp is small
  2. Pulp is less vascular
  3. Pulp is more fibrous
  4. Pulp is less innervated
31
Q

What are pulp stones?

A

Round calcified masses which appear in root canal or coronal portions of pulp

32
Q

What is the main cause of pulp stones?

A

Aging

33
Q

What are 2 types of pulp stones?

A
  1. True denticles

2. False denticles

34
Q

What does a true denticle resemble?

A

Dentin

35
Q

What does a false denticle resemble?

A

Bone

36
Q

What are 3 major clinical considerations with regards to dental pulp?

A
  1. Pain from other sites can radiate to here e.g. angina
  2. It is sensory so requires anaesthesia during cavity preparation
  3. Pain in pulp is difficult to localise