Dental Pulp

Professor Dr. Maha Mounior

Dental Pulp

Pulpal architechture• Loose CT derived from neuralcrest cells, coffined to pulpchamber& RC

Pulpal architechture• Cell free zone• Cell rich zone: containsprogenitor odontoblasts• Central pulp: pulp proper• Contains large BV &nerve trunks• Myelenated & unmyelen-ated nerves are in closeassociation with BV

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

Cells of the pulp

1. Odontoblasts2. Fibroblasts3. Undifferentiated mesenchymal cells4. Inflammatory cells5. Cells associated with blood vessels:

endothelial cells, perivascular cells, &pericytes

6. Stem cells

Fibroblasts• Most numerousCells & are locatedThroughout the pulpProduce groundSubstance+collagenFibers.By age become smaller spindle shaped with

few organells.

Endothelial cells lining capillaries

Plexus of Rashcow

plexus of RashcowSilver stain: nerves &Nerve endings

Vasculature of the pulp

• Larger vesels conductBlood in the central pulp& smaller capillaries areIn the peripheral pulp.

Functions of the pulp

• 1- Cells of pulp + blood vessels & nervesprovides 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 becomesmore evident with thedecrease in pulp size.

Pulp stones

Pulp stonesClassified according to its structure into:

True & False• True denticles: have dentinal tubules like

dentin, odontoblastic processes & fewodontoblasts

• False denticles: are concentric layers ofcalcified tissue with a central cellular area(which might be necrotic & acts as nidus ofdenticle formation)

• Classified according to its structure into:free, attached & embedded

Pulp stones or denticles

• Are round to ovalcalcified masses in:normal pulps or injuredPulps (microtrauma)• False pulp stones

True pulp stone

• Free & true

• Attached & true

Pulp stones

• Results from ectopic calcification due tomicrotrauma or aging

• Normally are asymptomatic, unless theyimpinge on blood vessels or nerves

Thank You