NEET MDS Lessons
Dental Anatomy
Enamel
Structural characteristics and microscopic features
a. Enamel rods or prisms
(1) Basic structural unit of enamel.
(2) Consists of tightly packed hydroxyapatite crystals. Hydroxyapatite crystals in enamel are four times larger and more tightly packed than hydroxyapatite found in other calcified
tissues (i.e., it is harder than bone).
(3) Each rod extends the entire thickness of enamel and is perpendicular to the dentinoenamel junction (DEJ).
b. Aprismatic enamel
(1) The thin outer layer of enamel found on the surface of newly erupted teeth.
(2) Consists of enamel crystals that are aligned perpendicular to the surface.
(3) It is aprismatic (i.e., prismless) and is more mineralized than the enamel beneath it.
(4) It results from the absence of Tomes processes on the ameloblasts during the final stages of enamel deposition.
c. Lines of Retzius (enamel striae)
(1) Microscopic features
(a) In longitudinal sections, they are observed as brown lines that extend from the DEJ to the
tooth surface.
(b) In transverse sections, they appear as dark, concentric rings similar to growth rings in a tree.
(2) The lines appear weekly during the formation of enamel.
(3) Although the cause of striae formation is unknown, the lines may represent appositional or incremental growth of enamel. They may also result from metabolic disturbances of ameloblasts.
(4) Neonatal line
(a) An accentuated, dark line of Retzius that results from the effect of physiological changes
on ameloblasts at birth.
(b) Found in all primary teeth and some cusps of permanent first molars.
d. Perikymata
(1) Lines of Retzius terminate on the tooth surface in shallow grooves known a perikymata.
(2) These grooves are usually lost through wear but may be observed on the surfaces of developing teeth or nonmasticatory surfaces of formed teeth.
e. Hunter-Schreger bands
(1) Enamel rods run in different directions. In longitudinal sections, these changes in direction result in a banding pattern known as HunterSchreger bands.
(2) These bands represent an optical phenomenon of enamel and consist of a series of alternating dark and light lines when the section is viewed with reflected or polarized
light.
f. Enamel tufts
(1) Consist of hypomineralized groups of enamel rods.
(2) They are observed as short, dark projections found near or at the DEJ.
(3) They have no known clinical significance.
g. Enamel lamellae
(1) Small, sheet-like cracks found on the surface of enamel that extend its entire thickness.
(2) Consist of hypocalcified enamel.
(3) The open crack may be filled with organic material from leftover enamel organ components, connective tissues of the developing tooth, or debris from the oral cavity.
(4) Both enamel tufts and lamellae may be likened to geological faults in mature enamel.
h. Enamel spindle
(1) Remnants of odontoblastic processes that become trapped after crossing the DEJ during the differentiation of ameloblasts.
(2) Spindles are more pronounced beneath the cusps or incisal edges of teeth (i.e., areas where occlusal stresses are the greatest).
HISTOLOGIC CHANGES OF THE PULP
Regressive changes
Pulp decreases in size by the deposition of dentin.
This can be caused by age, attrition, abrasion, operative procedures, etc.
Cellular organelles decrease in number.
Fibrous changes
They are more obvious in injury rather than aging. Occasionally, scarring may also be apparent.
Pulpal stones or denticles
They can be: a)free, b)attached and/or c)embedded. Also they are devided in two groups: true or false. The true stones (denticles) contain dentinal tubules. The false predominate over the the true and are characterized by concentric layers of calcified material.
Diffuse calcifications
Calcified deposits along the collagen fiber bundles or blood vessels may be observed. They are more often in the root canal portion than the coronal area.
Histology of the Cementum
Cementum is a hard connective tissue that derives from ectomesenchyme.
Embryologically, there are two types of cementum:
Primary cementum: It is acellular and develops slowly as the tooth erupts. It covers the coronal 2/3 of the root and consists of intrinsic and extrinsic fibers (PDL).
Secondary cementum: It is formed after the tooth is in occlusion and consists of extrinsic and intrinsic (they derive from cementoblasts) fibers. It covers mainly the root surface.
Functions of Cementum
It protects the dentin (occludes the dentinal tubules)
It provides attachment of the periodontal fibers
It reverses tooth resorption
Cementum is composed of 90% collagen I and III and ground substance.
50% of cementum is mineralized with hydroxyapatite. Thin at the CE junction, thicker apically.
MANDIBULAR CUSPIDS
Mandibular canines are those lower teeth that articulate with the mesial aspect of the upper canine.
Facial: The mandibular canine is noticeably narrower mesidistally than the upper, but the root may be as long as that of the upper canine. In an individual person,the lower canine is often shorter than that of the upper canine. The mandibular canine is wider mesiodistally than either lower incisor. A distinctive feature is the nearly straight outline of the mesial aspect of the crown and root. When the tooth is unworn, the mesial cusp ridge appears as a sort of 'shoulder' on the tooth. The mesial cusp ridge is much shorter than the distal cusp ridge.
Lingual: The marginal ridges and cingulum are less prominent than those of the maxillary canine. The lingual surface is smooth and regular. The lingual ridge, if present, is usually rather subtle in its expression.
Proximal: The mesial and distal aspects present a triangular outline. The cingulum as noted is less well developed. When the crown and root are viewed from the proximal, this tooth uniquely presents a crescent-like profile similar to a cashew nut.
Incisal: The mesiodistal dimension is clearly less than the labiolingual dimension. The mesial and distal 'halves' of the tooth are more identical than the upper canine from this perspective. In the mandibular canine, the unworn incisal edge is on the line through the long axis of this tooth.
Age changes in the dentition
I. After the teeth have reached full occlusion, microscopic tooth movements occur to compensate for wear at the contact area (Mesial Drift) and occlusal surfaces (by Deposition of cementum at the root apex)
2. Attrition of incisal ridges and cusp tips may be so severe that dentin may become exposed and intrinsically stained
3. Secondary dentin may be formed in response to dental caries, trauma, and aging and result in decreased pulp size and tooth sensation
Alveolar bone (process)
1. The bone in the jaws that contains the teeth alveoli (sockets).
2. Three types of bone :
a. Cribriform plate (alveolar bone proper)
(1) Directly lines and forms the tooth socket. It is compact bone that contains many holes, allowing for the passage of blood vessels. It has no periosteum.
(2) Serves as the attachment site for PDL (Sharpey’s) fibers.
(3) The tooth socket is constantly being remodeled in response to occlusal forces. The bone laid down on the cribriform plate, which also provides attachment for PDL fibers, is known as bundle bone.
(4) It is radiographically known as the lamina dura.
b. Cortical (compact) bone
(1) Lines the buccal and lingual surfaces of the mandible and maxilla.
(2) Is typical compact bone with a periosteum and contains Haversian systems.
(3) Is generally thinner in the maxilla and thicker in the mandible, especially around the buccal area of the mandibular premolar and molar.
c. Trabecular (cancellous, spongy) bone
(1) Is typical cancellous bone containing Haversian systems.
(2) Is absent in the maxillary anterior teeth region.
3. Alveolar crest (septa)
a. The height of the alveolar crest is usually 1.5 to 2 mm below the CEJ junction.
b. The width is determined by the shape of adjacent teeth.
(1) Narrow crests—found between teeth with relatively flat surfaces.
(2) Widened crests—found between teeth with convex surfaces or teeth spaced apart.
As root and cementum formation begin, bone is created in the adjacent area. Throughout the body, cells that form bone are called osteoblasts. In the case of alveolar bone, these osteoblast cells form from the dental follicle. Similar to the formation of primary cementum, collagen fibers are created on the surface nearest the tooth, and they remain there until attaching to periodontal ligaments.
Like any other bone in the human body, alveolar bone is modified throughout life. Osteoblasts create bone and osteoclasts destroy it, especially if force is placed on a tooth. As is the case when movement of teeth is attempted through orthodontics, an area of bone under compressive force from a tooth moving toward it has a high osteoclast level, resulting in bone resorption. An area of bone receiving tension from periodontal ligaments attached to a tooth moving away from it has a high number of osteoblasts, resulting in bone formation.
ARTICULAR SURFACES COVERED BY FIBROUS TISSUE
TMJ is an exception form other synovial joints. Two other joints, the acromio- and sternoclavicular joints are similar to the TMJ. Mandible & clavicle derive from intramembranous ossificiation.
Histologic
- Fibrous layer: collagen type I, avascular (self-contained and replicating)
- Proliferating zone that formes condylar cartilage
- Condylar cartilage is fibrocartilage that does not play role in articulation nor has formal function
- Capsule: dense collagenous tissue (includes the articular eminence)
- Synovial membrane: lines capsule (does not cover disk except posterior region); contains folds (increase in pathologic conditions) and villi
Two layers: a cellular intima (synovial cells in fiber-free matrix) and a vascular subintima
Synovial cells: A (macrophage-like) syntesize hyaluronate
B (fibroblast-like) add protein in the fluid
Synovial fluid: plasma with mucin and proteins, cells
Liquid environment: lubrication, ?nutrition - Disk: separates the cavity into two comprartments, type I collagen
anterior and posterior portions
anetiorly it divides into two lamellae one towards the capsule, the other towards the condyle
vascular in the preiphery, avascular in the center - Ligaments: nonelastic collagenous structures. One ligament worth mentioning is the lateral or temporomandibular ligament. Also there are the spheno- and stylomandibular with debatable functional role.
Innervations
|
Ruffini |
Posture |
Dynamic and static balance |
|
Pacini |
Dynamic mechanoreception |
Movement accelerator |
|
Golgi |
Static mechanoreception |
Protection (ligament) |
|
Free |
Pain |
Protection joint |