Brief short notes on Pulp

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