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
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