Dental Tissues- II. Dentine/pulp complex: structure, composition, development and oral pain

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is produced by sensory nerves of the dental pulp.

True/False
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Terms in this set (62)
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is produced by sensory nerves of the dental pulp.

True/False
True
This is probably the most widely distributed of the many neuropeptides produced in the pulp. It is a potent vasodilator and quite possibly the principal agent controlling blood flow locally in the periphery of the pulp.
Pulp stones have a tubular, dentine-like appearance.

True/False
False
Most pulp stones lack tubular structures and are not surrounded by an odontoblast layer.
The only sensation appreciated from the pulp is pain.

True/False
True
However, some physiological evidence is available suggesting that temperature changes may also be perceived by the dental pulp.
The majority of nerves entering the pulp are myelinated.

True/False
False
Only about 25% of fibres are myelinated, the remaining 75% being non-myelinated.
Dendrites of antigen-presenting cells in the pulp may be present within dentinal tubules.
True
Such cells may be considered similar to the Langerhans cells found in oral epithelium.
Theme: Dental Pulp
a. comprises about 10% of pulp collagen
b. the majority are Aβ fibres (diameter 6-12 μm)
c. they form a pseudostratified layer in the crown of the aged pulp
d. this pressure is comparatively high compared with most other connective tissues
e. they snythesize both collagen and non-collagenous proteins
f. their processes may enter the dentinal tubules
g. their cells stain for cytokeratins
h. this pressure is low compared with most other connective tissue
i. comprises about 40% pulp collagen
j. their walls show some fenestrations
k. like the periodontal ligament, they show high amounts of rough endoplasmic reticulum, indicating a rapid turnover of collagen
l. their cell bodies lie in the trigeminal ganglion

1. Type III collagen

2. Myelinated nerve fibres

3. Dendritic antigen-presenting cells

4. Pulp fibroblasts

5. Pulp tissue fluid pressure

6. Capillaries in the pulp
1. I- Comprises about 40% pulp
The presence of such a high percentage of type III collagen is unusual for adult connective tissues, generally being more common in younger tissues exhibiting a high turnover rate. Its significance is not known.

2. L- Their cell bodies lie in the trigeminal ganglion
The presence of such a high percentage of type III collagen is unusual for adult connective tissues, generally being more common in younger tissues exhibiting a high turnover rate. Its significance is not known.

3. F- Their processes may enter the dentinal tubules
These cells are associated with the immunological system, similar to Langerhans cells in oral epithelium.

4. E- They synthesize both collagen and non-collagenous proteins
Like other connective tissues, pulp fibroblasts are responsible for the synthesis and secretion of both the fibres and ground substance of the extracellular matrix. Unlike tissues with a rapid turnover rate, such as the periodontal ligament, intracellular collagen profiles have not been reported within pulpal fibroblasts.

5. D- This pressure is comparatively high compared with most other connective tissues
Compared with other connective tissues where tissue fluid pressures are low (and may even be subatmospheric), the values reported for pulp are high. Although the reasons for this are not known, it may be related to the enclosed nature of the tissue and/or the need to circulate dentinal fluid.

6. J- Their walls to show some fenestrations
The presence of fenestrated capillaries may be related to the high tissue-fluid pressure reported for this tissue.
A pool of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans is secreted at the mineralization front and guides mineral deposition.

True/False
True
CS proteoglycans are highly acidic and have a high affinity for calcium. They are thought to direct mineral deposition and are secreted by odontoblasts at the mineralization front only.
Reparative dentine closely resembles secondary dentine with a regular tubular structure.
False
Reparative dentine is atubular and dysplastic in structure and is an irregular repair tissue. It is secreted by a new generation of odontoblast-like cells derived from pulpal progenitor cells and has been known as osteodentine in other texts.
Lymphatic vessels in the pulp are readily visualized.
False
Although lymphatic vessels are present in the pulp, they are difficult to visualize and require special techniques to demonstrate their presence.
Peritubular dentine increases in thickness with age.
True
Although there is variation. A relationship also exists between the amount of peritubular dentine formed and the degree of attrition.