Pulp Anatomy Flashcards
what are the three areas of the pulp cavity?
- pulp chamber: which is the most occlusal/incisal portion of the pulp cavity
- pulp horns: which are projections of the pulp chamber (usually one per sizable cusp)
- root canals: portions of the pulp that extends into the roots
what connects the pulp chamber to the root canals?
canal orifices
what connects the root canal to the outside of the tooth?
apical foramen
how many canal types can a single rooted tooth have?
4 types (type I, II, III, and IV)
what are type I anatomic roots
one canal extends from the pulp chamber to the apex
what are type II anatomic roots
two separate canals leave the pulp chamber but they join short of the apex to form one canal apically and one foramen
what are type III anatomic roots
two separate canals exit the chamber and continue to two separate apical foramina
what are type IV anatomic roots
one canal leaves the chamber then splits to form two canals and two apical foramina
what are accessory canals?
smaller canals that exit alongside the main root canal and cause complications
how many roots and canals are anterior teeth more likely to have? what is the exception?
one root, one canal
mandibular anterior teeth may have 2 canals (one facial, one lingual) and the most likely tooth for this to happen is mandibular canine
mature vs young incisors pulp chamber/ pulp horn
mature incisors from the facial or lingual view have 2 pulp horns possibly 3, peg laterals have only 1 pulp horn
young incisors may have 3 pulp horns following configuration of the mamelons
canines usually only have one pulp horn
how many pulp chambers/ pulp horns are there in premolars
generally premolars have ONE pulp horn PER sizable CUSP
- 2 cusp premolar has 2 pulp horns
- 3 cusp mandibular seconds have 3 pulp horns
- mandibular 1st premolars with a functionless lingual cusp may have only ONE pulp horn
what is the length of the pulp horns in premolars?
pulp horn lengths tend to mirror the height of the cusps
ex: lingual pulp horn is shorter than buccal pulp horn
how many root canals do the premolars have ?
maxillary 1st: 2 roots 2 canals (buccal and lingual) ***even single rooted still have 2 canals
maxillary 2nd: 1 root 1 canal **sometimes 2 canals
mandibular 1st and 2nd: 1 root 1 canal **sometimes have roots that bifurcate towards the apex
pulp chambers and pulp horns of the maxillary molars?
- pulp chamber is broader buccolingually than mesiodistally
- mirrors the shape of the tooth
pulp chambers and pulp horns of the mandibular molars?
- pulp chamber is broader mesiodistally than buccolingually
- mirrors the shape of the tooth
how many pulp chambers and pulp horns do molars have?
- One pulp horn per functional cusp
-4 cusp type has 4 pulp horns
**cusp of carabelli is not functional
- 3 cusp types of maxillary molars have 3 pulp horns
- mandibular first molar has 5 cusps so 5 pulp horns
root canals and orifices of maxillary molars
- 1st and 2nd maxillary molars have
3 roots (palatal, MB, DB) and
4 canals (2MB, 1P, 1DB) - 4 orifices in the chamber floor
***palatal canal is the largest canal and most easily accessible
root canals and orifices of mandibular molars
- 2 roots (M and D)
- 3 canals ( 2M and 1 D)
- 3 orifices in the chamber floor
how many root canals does a third molar have?
maxillary usually have 3 root canals
mandibular usually have 2 root canals
what are some changes in the pulp cavity as the tooth ages???
- primary teeth have thinner enamel and dentin and the pulp cavities are larger and closer to the occlusal/incisal surface
- as the tooth ages the odontoblasts line pulp chamber and deposit secondary dentin
- diameter of root canal decreases
***necrotic teeth (nerve and blood supply has been lost)
- pulp canal stays the same bc there is no vital odontoblasts to deposit secondary dentin
what is a pulp cap (bandages)? and what are the two types?
calcium hydroxide stimulates the formation of secondary dentin
- indirect pulp cap: when calcium hydroxide is applied to thin layer of remaining dentin that covers pulp chamber
- direct pulp cap: calcium hydroxide is placed over a small pulpal exposure
what is reversible pulpitis?
mild inflammation in which pulp tissue remains healthy and can be saved
what is irreversible pulpitis and what are some findings?
inflammation of the pulp that will not heal without the removal of pulp tissue (root canal therapy)
hot/cold/sweet sensitivity, spontaneous pain, and or prolonged response to cold when tested with endo ice
