NEET MDS Lessons
Dental Anatomy
Histology of the Pulp
PARTICIPATING CELLS
1. Odontoblasts (body and process)
Most distinctive cells of the pulp
Single layer
The cells are columnar in the coronal portion, cuboidal in the middle portion, flat in the apical portion
Individual odontoblasts communicate with each other via junctions. The number of odontoblasts corresponds to the number of dentinal tubules.
The lifespan of an odontoblast equals the one of a vital tooth.
The morphology of the odontoblasts reflects their functional activity.
(There are three stages that reflect the functional activity of a cell: active, transitional and resting)
The odontoblastic process
2. Fibroblasts
Most numerous cells
Produce collagen fibers and ground substance
Ground substance consists of: proteoglycans and glycoproteins
Again, active and resting cells
Fibroblasts have also capability to degrade collagen
3. Undifferentiated mesenchymal cells A pool of cells from which connective tissue cells can derive.
They are reduced with age.
4. Endothelial cells, Schwann cells, pericytes and immunocompetent cells
MATRIX
It is composed of fibers and ground substance
55% of the fibers are Type I collagen. 45% of the fibers are Type III collagen.
The ground substance is gelatinous in the coronal aspect and more fibrous in the apical.
VASCULARITY
Superior and inferior alveolar arteries that derive from the external carotids
Afferent side of the circulation: arterioles
Efferent side of the circulation: venules
Lymphatics
Small, blind, thin-walled vessels in the coronal region of the pulp and exit via one or two larger vessels.
The pre-dentition period.
-This is from birth to six months.
-At this stage, there are no teeth. Clinically, the infant is edentulous
-Both jaws undergo rapid growth; the growth is in three planes of space: downward, forward, and laterally (to the side). Forward growth for the mandible is greater.
-The maxillary and mandibular alveolar processes are not well developed at birth.
-occasionally, there is a neonatal tooth present at birth. It is a supernumerary and is often lost soon after birth.
-At birth, bulges in the developing alveoli precede eruption of the deciduous teeth. At birth, the molar pads can touch.
Clinical importance of cementum
1) Deposition of cementum continues throughout life.
The effects of the continuous deposition of cementum are the maintenance of total length of the tooth (good) and constriction of the apical foramen (bad).
2) With age, the smooth surface of cementum becomes more irregular due to calcification of some ligament fiber bundles. This is referred to as spikes.
Behavior of cementum in pathologic conditions
Pulp
1. Four zones—listed from dentin inward
a. Odontoblastic layer
(1) Contains the cell bodies of odontoblasts.
Note: their processes remain in dentinal tubules.
(2) Capillaries, nerve fibers, and dendritic cells may also be present.
b. Cell-free or cell-poor zone (zone of Weil)
(1) Contains capillaries and unmyelinated nerve fibers.
c. Cell-rich zone
(1) Consists mainly of fibroblasts. Macrophages, lymphocytes, and dendritic cells may also be present.
d. The pulp (pulp proper, central zone)
(1) The central mass of the pulp.
(2) Consists of loose connective tissue, larger vessels, and nerves. Also contains fibroblasts and pulpal cells.
2. Pulpal innervation
a. When pulpal nerves are stimulated, they can only transmit one signal pain.
b. There are no proprioceptors in the pulp.
c. Types of nerves:
(1) A-delta fibers
(a) Myelinated sensory nerve fibers.
(b) Stimulation results in the sensation of fast, sharp pain.
(c) Found in the coronal (odontoblastic) area of the pulp.
(2) C-fibers
(a) Unmyelinated sensory nerve fibers.
(b) Transmits information of noxious stimuli centrally.
(c) Stimulation results in pain that is slower, duller, and more diffuse in nature.
(d) Found in the central region of the pulp.
(3) Sympathetic fibers
(a) Found deeper within the pulp.
(b) Sympathetic stimulation results in vasoconstriction of vessels.
HISTOLOGY OF SALIVARY GLANDS
Parotid: so-called watery serous saliva rich in amylase
Submandibular gland: more mucinous
Sublingual: viscous saliva
Parotid Gland: The parotid is a serous secreting gland.
There are also fat cells in the parotid.
Submandibular Gland
This gland is serous and mucous secreting.
There are serous demilunes
This gland is more serous than mucous
Also fat cells
Sublingual Gland
Serous and mucous secreting
Serous cells in the form of demilunes on the mucous acini.
more mucous than serous cells
Minor Salivary Glands
Minor salivary glands are not found within gingiva and anterior part of the hard palate
Serous minor glands=von Ebner below the sulci of the circumvallate and folliate papillae of the tongue; palatine, glossopalatine glands are pure mucus; some lingual glands are also pure mucus
Functions
Protection: lubricant (glycoprotein); barrier against noxious stimuli; microbial toxins and minor traumas; washing non-adherent and acellular debris; calcium-binding proteins: formation of salivary pellicle
Buffering: bacteria require specific pH conditions; plaque microorganisms produce acids from sugars; phosphate ions and bicarbonate
Digestion: neutralizes esophageal contents, dilutes gastric chyme; forms food bolus; brakes starch
Taste: permits recognition of noxious substances; protein gustin necessary for growth and maturation of taste buds
Antimicrobial: lysozyme hydrolyzes cell walls of some bacteria; lactoferrin binds free iron and deprives bacteria of this essential element; IgA agglutinates microorganisms
Maintenance of tooth integrity: calcium and phosphate ions; ionic exchange with tooth surface
Tissue repair: bleeding time of oral tissues shorter than other tissues; resulting clot less solid than normal; remineralization
INNERVATION OF THE DENTIN-PULP COMPLEX
- Dentine Pulp
- Dentin
- Nerve Fibre Bundle
- Nerve fibres
The nerve bundles entering the tooth pulp consist principally of sensory afferent fibers from the trigeminal nerve and sympathetic branches from the superior cervical ganglion. There are non-myelinated (C fibers) and myelinated (less than non, A-delta, A-beta) fibers. Some nerve endings terminate on or in association with the odontoblasts and others in the predentinal tubules of the crown. Few fibers are found among odontoblasts of the root.
In the cell-free zone one can find the plexus of Raschkow.
MANDIBULAR FIRST BICUSPID
Facial: The outline is very nearly symmetrical bilaterally, displaying a large, pointed buccal cusp. From it descends a large, well developed buccal ridge.
Lingual: This tooth has the smallest and most ill-defined lingual cusp of any of the premolars. A distinctive feature is the mesiolingual developmental groove
Proximal: The large buccal cusp tip is centered over the root tip, about at the long axis of this tooth. The very large buccal cusp and much reduced lingual cusp are very evident. You should keep in mind that the mesial marginal ridge is more cervical than the distal contact ridge; each anticipate the shape of their respective adjacent teeth.
Occlusal: The occlusal outline is diamond-shaped. The large buccal cusp dominates the occlusal surface. Marginal ridges are well developed and the mesiolingual developmental groove is consistently present. There are mesial and distal fossae with pits,
Contact Points: When viewed from the facial, each contact area/height of curvature is at about the same height.
Root Surface:-The root of the mandibular first bicuspid is usually single, but on occasion can be bifurcated (two roots).