Dental Pulp

Dental Pulp Professor Dr. Maha Mounior

Dental Pulp

Pulpal architechture • Loose CT derived from neural crest cells, coffined to pulp chamber& RC

Pulpal architechture • Cell free zone • Cell rich zone: contains progenitor odontoblasts • Central pulp: pulp proper • Contains large BV & nerve trunks • Myelenated & unmyelenated nerves are in close association with BV

Pulp architecture • Cells of pulp, cell free zone, cell rich zone, parietal neural plexus, blood vessels & lymphatics

Cells of the pulp 1. Odontoblasts 2. Fibroblasts 3. Undifferentiated mesenchymal cells 4. Inflammatory cells 5. Cells associated with blood vessels: endothelial cells, perivascular cells, & pericytes 6. Stem cells

Fibroblasts • Most numerous Cells & are located Throughout the pulp Produce ground Substance+collagen Fibers. By age become smaller spindle shaped with few organells.

Endothelial cells lining capillaries

Plexus of Rashcow plexus of Rashcow Silver stain: nerves & Nerve endings

Vasculature of the pulp • Larger vesels conduct Blood in the central pulp & smaller capillaries are In the peripheral pulp.

Functions of the pulp • 1- Cells of pulp + blood vessels & nerves provides the tooth vitality • 2- Inductive function • 3- Formative • 4- Protective • 5- Nutrative • 6- Reparative

Fibers & ground substance • Odontoblasts produce type I collagen • Pulpal fibroblasts secrete III collagen fibers ( type I predominates) • In young age fibers are sparse, increase with advancing age or due to irritation. • Fibrosis is either localized increase in collagen fibers or diffuse fibrosis

Regressive changes in the pulp • Fibrous changes • Pulp stones

Fibrous changes in pulp Fibrosis is due to aging & Injury. -increase in collagen fibers’ bundles which becomes more evident with the decrease in pulp size.

Pulp stones

Pulp stones Classified according to its structure into: True & False • True denticles: have dentinal tubules like dentin, odontoblastic processes & few odontoblasts • False denticles: are concentric layers of calcified tissue with a central cellular area (which might be necrotic & acts as nidus of denticle formation) • Classified according to its structure into: free, attached & embedded

Pulp stones or denticles • Are round to oval calcified masses in: normal pulps or injured Pulps (microtrauma) • False pulp stones

True pulp stone • Free & true

• Attached & true

Pulp stones • Results from ectopic calcification due to microtrauma or aging • Normally are asymptomatic, unless they impinge on blood vessels or nerves

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