The document summarizes the structure and function of dental pulp. It describes the different zones of the pulp, including the odontoblast layer, cell-free zone, cell-rich zone, and pulpal core. It notes that the crown pulp is larger and has pulp horns, while the size decreases with age due to dentin formation. The main cell types in pulp are fibroblasts, nerve cells, endothelial cells, and inflammatory cells. Pulp provides vitality, nutrition, protection, and repair to teeth. Regressive changes with age include decreased cells and organelles, increased fibrosis, vascular changes like calcification, decreased blood flow, and pulp stone formation.

1. 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

2. 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