Pulp morphology Flashcards
What is the name of the portion of pulp in the crown?
pulp chamber / coronal pulp
What is the name of the portion of pulp in the root?
root pulp / radicular pulp (/pulp canal / root canal)
What makes up the root canal system?
pulp chamber and root canal
What is the general outline of the root canal system?
follows the general outline of the crown and root
Name of the process in RCT where pulp tissue is removed
pulp extirpation
Where are the orifices (entrances) to the root canals found?
floor of pulp chamber
What is mean by conservative treatment?
e.g. superficial caries with no signs of pulpitis does not require RCT
What is the name of the curating material placed inside root canal?
gutta-percha
What is the name of the condition when bacteria enter the apex (apical portion of tooth’s tip)?
periapical/periradicular periodontitis
Why is it important that gutta-percha does not extrude from the root or be too short?
would be a foreign body / infection remains
What is root canal treatment?
removing the microbial contamination of the entire root canal system
Difference in bone for maxilla and mandible
Maxilla is porous bone whereas mandible is condensed bone (more radiopaque)
What are pulp horns?
projections / prolongations in the roof of pulp chambers
What does the shape of pulp horns correspond to?
cusps or lobes of the crown
In which individuals are pulp horns more prominent in?
young individuals (less secondary dentine)
How does the size of the pulp chamber change with age?
reduces in size due to formation of secondary dentine
Which individuals must greater care be taken to avoid exposure of pulp?
younger individuals (less secondary dentine so larger pulp chamber)
What are the different types of sections that can be taken of a an upper central incisor to explore the root canal system?
cross section, mesiodistal section, labiopalatal section
Shape of the pulp cavity of upper central incisor along the root
tapers evenly along the entire length of the root until reaching the apical constriction
What is the typical outline of the root canal at the cervical level of an upper central?
triangular with rounded corners
Where is the pulp cavity widest?
cervical level
Where is the pulp chamber located?
centred within the dentine
Where is the narrowest part of the canal found?
apical constriction
Name of the opening at the apex that allows blood vessels and nerves to supply pulp
apical foramen
What are the possible variations a root canal may end in?
a single apical foramen or a delta of small canals (root canals can have different anatomical variations)
What are lateral and accessory canals?
channels of communication between the main body of the root canal and the periodontal ligament space
Where are lateral and accessory canals located?
anywhere along the length of the root canal, at right angles to the main canal
How do lateral and accessory canals form?
due to a break in Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath / sheath grows around existing blood vessels
What percentage of central incisors have accessory canals?
60%
What may be used to fill lateral/accessory canals?
lateral sealer puff
Definition of anastomosis in pulp morphology
where two canals exists within the same root lateral communication in the form of fins or accessory canals occurring between them (communication of two root canals in the same root via fins or accessory canals)
What should a good access cavity allow?
straight line access
How many canals are usually present in upper first molars?
4 canals - one palatal, one disto-buccal, usually 2 mesiobuccal canals
What percentage of upper first molars have a second mesiobuccal canal?
over 60%
Which is the most heavily restored tooth in the adult dentition, and hence a frequent RCT candidate?
lower first molar (one of the first permanent teeth to erupt - age 6 alongside lower centrals)
What direction may the roots of a lower first molar curve?
distal curvature (most prominent on mesial root)
Which root of the lower first molar is widest?
mesial root wider than distal
How many root canals are typically found in a lower first molar?
3 canals - 2 in mesial root (buccal and lingual with isthmus in between), and 1 oval canal in distal
How are the root canals of the lower second molar similar to the lower first molar?
also 3 canals - 2 in mesial root and 1 in distal root
How do the root canals of the lower second molar differ from the lower first molar?
mesial canals lie closer in lower second molar, incidence of 2 distal canals much less
Location of distal canal orifice in lower second molar (if one distal canal present)
large orifice located just distal to centre of crown
Why is it important to know the shape of access cavities?
to be as conservative as possible by understanding location of canals
