Tooth Pulp Explained: Structure, Cells, And Functions

Tooth Pulp Explained: Structure, Cells, And Functions

Describe briefly pulp.
Answer:

Pulp Definition:

The dental pulp is defined as the richly vascularised and innervated connective tissue of mesodermal origin enclosed by dentin with communications to the periodontal ligament.

Functions:

1. Formative:

• It produces the dentin that surrounds it.

2. Nutritive:

• It nourishes the avascular dentin.

3. Protective:

• It carries nerves that give dentin its sensitivity.

4. Reparative:

• It is capable of producing new dentin when required.

5. Inductive:

• Pulp interacts with oral epithelium cells and causes differentiation of dental lamina and results in enamel organ formation which determines the type of tooth.

Anatomy:

• The dental pulp occupies the center of each tooth and consists of soft connective tissue.
• The pulp present in the crown is called coronal pulp and the pulp present in the root is called radicular pulp.
• The pulp consists of apical foramen and accessory canals.
• The apical opening is found on the lateral side of the apex.
• Frequently, there are two or more foramina separated by a portion of dentin and cementum.

Structure:

• Four distinct zones can be distinguished in the pulp. They are.

1. Odontoblastic zone: At the pulp periphery.
2. Cell-free zone of Weil:
   • Beneath the odontoblasts.
   • It is prominent in the coronal pulp.
3. Cell-rich zone:
   • Adjacent to the cell-free zone.
   • Cell density is high in this zone.
4. Pulp core:
   • It is characterized by the major vessels and nerves of the pulp.

Cellular elements:

1. Odontoblasts:

• They form a layer lining the periphery of the pulp and have a process extending into dentin.
• They are columnar cells with basal nuclei.
• They synthesize and secrete collagen from dentin.

2. Fibroblasts:

• They are the most prominent cells of pulp.
• They are stellate shape cells with extensive processes
• They form and maintain the pulp matrix.
• They are capable of ingesting and degrading collagen.

3. Undifferential ectomesenchyme cells:

• Depending on the stimulus, these cells may give rise to odontoblasts, fibroblasts, or macrophages.

4. Defence cells:

• Histiocytes or macrophages
• Mast cells
• Plasma cells.

5. Other cells:

• Eosinophils and lymphocytes.
• Dendritic cells

Matrix and ground substance:

• Matrix consists of collagen fibers and ground substance composed of principally glycosaminoglycans, glycoproteins, and water.

Blood vessels:

• The pulp is supplied by superior alveolar and inferior alveolar vessels.

Lymph vessels:

• The lymph vessels of anterior teeth drain into submental lymph nodes and that of posterior teeth into submandibular and deep cervical lymph nodes.