Dental Pulp

Professor Dr. Maha Mounior

Dental Pulp
 Pulpal architechture
• Loose CT derived from neural
crest cells, coffined to pulp
chamber& RC
 Pulpal architechture
• Cell free zone
• Cell rich zone: contains
progenitor odontoblasts
• Central pulp: pulp proper
• Contains large BV &
nerve trunks
• Myelenated & unmyelen-
ated nerves are in close
association with BV
 Pulp architecture
• Cells of pulp,
cell free zone,
cell rich zone,
parietal neural plexus,
blood vessels
& lymphatics
 Cells of the pulp
1. Odontoblasts
2. Fibroblasts
3. Undifferentiated mesenchymal cells
4. Inflammatory cells
5. Cells associated with blood vessels:
endothelial cells, perivascular cells, &
pericytes
6. Stem cells
 Fibroblasts
• Most numerous
Cells & are located
Throughout the pulp
Produce ground
Substance+collagen
Fibers.
By age become smaller spindle shaped with
few organells.
Endothelial cells lining capillaries
 Plexus of Rashcow
plexus of Rashcow
Silver stain: nerves &
Nerve endings
 Vasculature of the pulp
• Larger vesels conduct
Blood in the central pulp
& smaller capillaries are
In the peripheral pulp.
 Functions of the pulp
• 1- Cells of pulp + blood vessels & nerves
provides the tooth vitality
• 2- Inductive function
• 3- Formative
• 4- Protective
• 5- Nutrative
• 6- Reparative
 Fibers & ground substance
• Odontoblasts produce type I collagen
• Pulpal fibroblasts secrete III collagen
fibers ( type I predominates)
• In young age fibers are sparse, increase
with advancing age or due to irritation.
• Fibrosis is either localized increase in
collagen fibers or diffuse fibrosis
Regressive changes in the pulp
• Fibrous changes
• Pulp stones
 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.
Pulp stones
 Pulp stones
Classified according to its structure into:
True & False
• True denticles: have dentinal tubules like
dentin, odontoblastic processes & few
odontoblasts
• False denticles: are concentric layers of
calcified tissue with a central cellular area
(which might be necrotic & acts as nidus of
denticle formation)
• Classified according to its structure into:
free, attached & embedded
 Pulp stones or denticles
• Are round to oval
calcified masses in:
normal pulps or injured
Pulps (microtrauma)
• False pulp stones
 True pulp stone
• Free & true

• Attached & true

 Pulp stones
• Results from ectopic calcification due to
microtrauma or aging
• Normally are asymptomatic, unless they
impinge on blood vessels or nerves
Thank You