PULP

- Crown pulp larger than root pulp

- Crown pulp has pulp horns, that follow the number of cusps - Size of pulp decreases with age due to formation of dentin

Zones of Pulp

- Odontoblasts - Cell-free zone of Weil

- Cell Rich Zone - Pulpal Core

Components of Pulp:

- Fibroblasts as most abundant cells the produce protein

o Collegen fibres Type I and III

o Sparse arrangement in young pulp

o Ground substance provide life for cells

- Nerve cells + myelin sheath

o Enter through apical foramen and branch out at coronal pulp

o Extends peripherally to form Plexus of Raschkow/ subodontoblastic plexus that

monitor painful sensation

- Endothelial cells that line blood vessels - Inflammatory cells such as Macrophages, Lymphocytes, RBCs, Eosinophils and Basophils

Function of Pulp

- Vitality of the tooth - Inductive – interacts with oral epithelium to initiate tooth formation

- Formative – Odontoblasts form dentin to protect pulp

- Protective – React to stimuli, formation of sclerotic dentin

- Nutritive – Provide oxygen and nutrition to teeth - Reparative – Form reparative dentin

Regressive Changes

- Cellular changes o Number of cells decrease

o Size and number of organelles in cells decrease

o Thinning of cytoplasmic processes

- Fibrosis o Increased number of fibres, longitudinally in radicular pulp, diffuse in coronal pulp

- Vascular Changes

o Atherosclerotic plaques formation o Calcification of vessels

o Capillary endothelium shows pinocytic vesicles, microcytic vesicles, microfil, lipid vacuoles and glycogen granules

o Decreased blood flow - Pulp stone formation

o Nodular/discrete calcified masses

o Asymptomatic

o Impinge nerves and vessels o RCT

- Other age changes

o Decrease in volume of pulp o Decrease in root canal – dentin depositon

o Decreased vasculature o Loss and degeneration of nerve fibres – decreased sensation

o Sclerotic dentin/dead tracts