Pulp B

Question 1

Why is there no pain during the early stages of disease in the tooth, when there is no pulp?

Answer 1

• because a pulpless tooth requires more force to register pain.
• Hence, you can’t detect pain until later.

Question 2

What are the functions of the pulp?

Answer 2

1) formative
- initiation & development of dentin production
2) nutritive
- nourishes the avascular dentine, by supplying nutrients & moisture.
3) protective
- gives dentine its sensitivity, via nerves.
- form barriers, inflammation & immune response.
4) reparative
- produce new dentine when required
- ie. reactionary dentine, reparative dentine & sclerosis of tubules.

Question 3

What is the function of dentine?

Answer 3

1) protect the pulp -> forms hard tissue case surrounding pulp
- preserves the integrity of pulp tissue
2) supports the enamel -> hydrated composite mineralised tissue
- under tensile loads
- superior strength & fracture toughness
3) Flexibility
- collagen -> structural protein
- water of hydration -> part of triple helix of collagen structure
- free water -> in pulp space & dentine tubules.

Question 4

What are the 2 types of material in dentine?

Answer 4

1) hydrate composite mineralised tissue

2) Collagen

Question 5

What is the consequence of losing the pulp?

Answer 5

1) Increase bacterial invasion into dentinal tubules -> because lack of immune system
2) Reduce pain sensation -> requires >X2.5 weight to inflict pain, b/c lack of nerves.
3) Lack of pain during early stages of inflammatory reaction

Question 6

What is the difference between hydrated dentine & dehydrated dentine?

Answer 6

1) hydrated dentine
- increase toughness
2) Dehydrated dentine
- increase stiffness