The document discusses the dental pulp. It describes the pulp as the soft connective tissue contained within the pulp chamber and root canals that supports the dentin. The pulp is divided into zones including the odontoblastic zone, cell-free zone, cell-rich zone, and pulp core. The pulp provides inductive, formative, nutritive, sensory, and protective functions to the tooth. Age-related changes in the pulp include reductions in cell number and activity, fibrosis, and formation of pulp stones.

1. DENTAL PULP
Dr. Vardendra M
Reader
Dept of Oral Pathology
NDC, Raichur

2. Contents:
1.Pulp-Introduction.
2.Zones of Pulp.
3.Functions of Pulp.
4.Age changes of Pulp.
5.Clinical considerations of Pulp.

3. Pulp
Pulp is the soft connective tissue component of the dentin –pulp
complex.that supports dentin.
Pulp organ resides in the pulp chamber surrounded by dentin.
Molar pulp organs are 3-4 times larger than incisor pulp organ.
Coronal pulp : six surfaces,pulp horns, located centrally.
Radicular pulp ant:single radicular pulp.
Post:multiple.
Vary in size: ,shape,and no.
apical foramen : max.teeth-0.4mm
mand teeth-0.3mm.
Location,shape of AF change according to
functional influence of teeth.
Tipping of teeth-relocation of Af.
Accessory canals: Apical 1/3rd of root,spread of infection,

4. PULPAL ARCHITECHTURE
 Loose CT derived from neural crest cells, coffined to
pulp chamber& RC

5.  Cell free zone
 Cell rich zone: contains progenitor
odontoblasts
 Central pulp: pulp proper
 Contains large BV & nerve trunks
 Myelenated & unmyelenated nerves
are in close association with BV
PULPAL ARCHITECHTURE

6. Zones of pulp
1. Odontoblastic zone.
2. Cell-free zone of weil’s.
3. Cell-rich zone.
4. The pulp core.

7. ODONTOBLASTIC LAYER
- palisade pattern,
- 3-5 cells deep.
- no.of odontoblasts =no.of tubules.
Coronally -more , larger, tall columnar,
50µmheight.
Centrally -cuboidal .
Apically - flat.
The morphology –reflects –functional activity.
Active cell:
Tall ,columnar, basal nucleus, basophilic
cytoplasm , prominent golgi zone.
Resting cell:
Stubby ,little cytoplasm,hematoxyphilic
Trasitional stage:
narrow,displaced nucleus,autophagic vacuoles.

8. life span of odontoblasts
 They are the end cells.
 Slow and continuous deposition of secondary
dentin suggests that odontoblasts have a long
life span.

9. Fibroblasts
 Majority of cells in pulp.
 Numerous in coronal pulp.
 Forms & maintains pulp matrix.
 Active cell,& aging cell.
 Also participates in remodelling of ECM.
 Apoptosis-in cell rich zone-indicates cell turnover.

10.  Multipotent stem cells,in cell rich zone & pulp core.
 polyhedral cells,large,lightly stained, central nucleus.
 Older pulp: less no.of cells .
 Reduction in no.of cells , reduces the regenerative
potential of pulp.
Undifferentiated Mesenchymal Cell

12.  Bone marrow derived cells.
 In and around the odontoblast layer in un-erupted teeth.
 Presents antigen to T-lymphocytes.
 Immuno surveillance.
 More in carious teeth
 Process of dendritic cells extend in to the dentinal tubules.
Dendritic Cells

13. Matrix & ground substance.
 Matrix –collagen &ground substance.
 Collagen type I & type III.
 Collagen fibers - apical portion of pulp.
 Glysoaminoglycans, glycoproteins& water.
 Supports the cells,& transport of nutrients.
 Alterations in composition ,produces decreased cellular
function &irregular mineral deposition

14. FUNCTIONS OF PULP
 Inductive: The interaction between the epithelium and the
ectomesenchyme during maturation is reciprocally inductive.
 Formative & morphologic: Elaboration of dentin by
odontoblasts.
Responsible for the form acquired by pulp chamber
 Nutritive: Vascular supply for the surrounding dentin.
 Sensory: Carries nerves that gives dentin its sensitivity.
 Protective or Reparative: By production of Tertiary dentin.

15. INNERVATION OF PULP
 Nerve supply is from sensory afferent branch of the trigeminal
nerve and sympathetic branches from superior cervical ganglion.
 Contains both myelinated and non-myelinated nerve fibers.
 A∂ fibers.
 C fibers.
 Pulpal afferent nerves can distinguish between mechanical,
thermal & tactile stimuli.
 Most of the nerve bundles terminate in the sub-odontoblastic nerve
plexus.
 Small no.of nerve fibers pass between the odontoblast cell bodies
to enter dentinal tubules.

16. SUB-ODONTOBLASTIC
PLEXUS OF RASCHKOW
 Each nerve fiber is estimated to
produce at least 8 terminal
branches.
 Contributes to an extensive plexus
of nerves in the cell free zone of
weil’s below the odontoblastic layer
in the crown portion of the teeth.
 Demonstrated in silver stained
sections.
 No such plexus is found in roots.

17. AGE CHANGES OF PULP
 Cell changes.
 Fibrosis.
 Pulp stones/denticles.
 Diffuse calcifications.

18. FIBROUS CHANGES IN PULP
 Fibrosis is due to aging & Injury.
 increase in collagen fibers’ bundles which becomes
more evident with the decrease in pulp size.

19. CELL CHANGES
 Reduction in no of cells , cell organelles and activity.
 Fibrosis: aging,trauma or caries cause local fibrosis or scarring
effect.
 Increase in collagen is more apparent than actual due to
decrease in size of the pulp.
 Vascular changes: Atherosclerotic plaques may be found in
pulpal vessels.
 Pulp stones: nodular calcified masses appearing in either or
both coronal and root portions of pulp.
 Incidence increases with age.
 Asymptomatic unless they impinge on nerves or blood vessels.
 Seen in erupted &unerupted teeth.

20. PULP STONES
 Results from ectopic calcification due to microtrauma or aging
 Normally are asymptomatic, unless they impinge on blood
vessels or nerves
 Free
 Attached

21. True Denticles:
Similar in structure to dentin .
Rare , located near apical foramen.
Could be due to inclusion of remnant of epithelial root sheath.
False denticles:
Do not exhibit dentinal tubules.
Concentric layers of calcified tissue.
Arise around vessels.
Phleboliths also give rise to false denticles.

22. PULP STONES

23. Free denticles:
 Entirely surrounded by pulp tissue.
Embedded denticles:
 Entirely surrounded by dentin.
Diffuse calcifications:
 Occur as irregular calcified
deposits following collagen fiber
bundles.
 Commonly found in roots.

24. Clinical considerations:
 Size.shape & pulp horn in decidous & permanent.
 Pulpitis
 pulp stones.
 Internal resorption.
 Dentinogenesis imperfecta.
 Dentin dysplasia.
 Regional odontodysplasia.
 Attrition, Abrasion,Abfraction ,Erosion.

25. CONCLUSION
 Pulp is highly connective tissue of tooth which gives
nutritive and sensation to the tooth and its surrounding
structures.

26. questions
1.Zones of pulp.
2.Age changes of pulp.
3.Pulp stones.
4.Define pulp.Zones of pulp and Functions
of pulp.
5.Cells of pulp.

27. Thank you…