NEET MDS Lessons
Dental Anatomy
Dentin
1. Composition
a. Inorganic (70%)—calcium hydroxyapatite crystals.
b. Organic (30%)—water and type I collagen.
2. Types of dentin
a. Primary dentin
(1) Dentin formed during tooth development, before completion of root formation.
It constitutes the majority of dentin found in a tooth.
(2) It consists of a normal organization of dentinal tubules.
(3) Circumpulpal dentin
(a) The layer of primary dentin that surrounds the pulp chamber. It is formed after the mantle dentin.
(b) Its collagen fibers are parallel to the DEJ.
b. Secondary dentin
(1) Dentin formed after root formation is complete.
(2) Is deposited unevenly around the pulp chamber, forming along the layer of dentin closest to the pulp.
It therefore contributes to the decrease in the size of the pulp chamber as one ages.
(3) It consists of a normal, or slightly less regular, organization of dentinal tubules. However,
as compared to primary dentin, it is deposited at a slower rate.
(4) Although the dentinal tubules in secondary dentin can be continuous with those in primary
dentin, there is usually a tubular angle change between the two layers.
c. Tertiary (reparative, reactive) dentin
(1) Dentin that is formed in localized areas in response to trauma or other stimuli such as caries, tooth wear, or dental work.
(2) Its consistency and organization vary. It has no defined dentinal tubule pattern
d. Mantle dentin
(1) The outermost layer of dentin
(2) Is the first layer of dentin laid down by odontoblasts adjacent to the DEJ.
(3) Is slightly less mineralized than primary dentin.
(4) Has collagen fibers that are perpendicular to the DEJ.
(5) Dentinal tubules branch abundantly in this area.
e. Sclerotic (transparent) dentin
(1) Describes dentinal tubules that have become occluded with calcified material .
(2) Occurs when the odontoblastic processes retreat, filling the dentinal tubule with calcium phosphate crystals.
(3) Occurs with aging.
f. Dead tracts
(1) When odontoblasts die, they leave behind empty dentinal tubules, or dead tracts.
(2) Occurs with aging or trauma.
(3) Empty tubules are potential paths for bacterial invasion.
3. Structural characteristics and microscopic features:
a. Dentinal tubules
(1) Tubules extend from the DEJ to the pulp chamber.
(2) The tubules taper peripherally (i.e., their diameters are wider as they get closer to the pulp). Since the tubules are distanced farther apart at the periphery, the density of tubules is greater closer to the pulp.
(3) Each tubule contains an odontoblastic process or Tomes’ fiber.
Odontoblastic processes are characterized by the presence of a network of microtubules, with
Occasional mitochondria and vesicles present.
Note: the odontoblast’s cell body remains in the pulp chamber.
(4) Coronal tubules follow an S-shaped path, which may result from the crowding of odontoblasts as they migrate toward the pulp during dentin formation.
b. Peritubular dentin (intratubular dentin)
(1) Is deposited on the walls of the dentinal tubule, which affects (i.e., narrows)the diameter of the tubule .
(2) It differs from intertubular dentin by lacking a collagenous fibrous matrix. It is also more mineralized than intertubular dentin.
c. Intertubular dentin
(1) The main part of dentin, which fills the space between dentinal tubules
(2) Is mineralized and contains a collagenous matrix.
d. Interglobular dentin
(1) Areas of hypomineralized or unmineralized dentin caused by the failure of globules or calcospherites to fuse uniformly with mature dentin.
(2) Dentinal tubules are left undisturbed as they pass through interglobular dentin; however,
No peritubular dentin is present.
(3) Interglobular dentin is found in the:
(a) Crown—just beneath the mantle dentin.
(b) Root—beneath the dentinocemental junction, giving the root the appearance of a granular
layer (of Tomes).
e. Incremental lines
(1) Dentin is deposited at a daily rate of approximately 4 microns.
(2) As dentin is laid down, small differences in collagen fiber orientation result in the formation of incremental lines.
(3) Called imbrication lines of von Ebner.
(a) Every 5 days, or about every 20 µm, the changes in collagen fiber orientation appear more
accentuated. This results in a darker staining line, known as the imbrication line of von
Ebner.
(b) These lines are similar to the lines of Retzius seen in enamel.
f. Contour lines of Owen
(1) An optical phenomenon that occurs when the secondary curvatures of adjacent dentinal tubules coincide, resulting in the appearance of lines known as contour lines of Owen.
(2) Contour lines of Owen may also refer to lines that appear similar to those just described; however, these lines result from disturbances in mineralization.
g. Granular layer of Tomes
(1) A granular or spotty-appearing band that can be observed on the root surface adjacent to the dentinocemental junction, just beneath the cementum.
TOOTH MORPHOLOGY
Descriptive anatomy
- Median sagittal plane: the imaginary plane in the center that divides right from left.
- Median line: an imaginary line on that plane that bisects the dental arch at the center.
- Mesial: toward the center (median) line of the dental arch.
- Distal: away from the center (median) line of the dental arch.
- Occlusal plane: A plane formed by the cusps of the teeth. It is often curved, as in a cylinder. We will speak often of the occlusal surface of a tooth.
- Proximal: the surface of a tooth that is toward another tooth in the arch.
- Mesial surface: toward the midline.
- Distal surface: away from the midline.
- Facial: toward the cheeks or lips.
- Labial: facial surface of anterior teeth (toward the lips).
- Buccal: facial surfaceof anterior teeth (toward the cheeks).
- Lingual: toward the tongue.
- Occlusal: the biting surface; that surface that articulates with an antagonist tooth in an opposing arch.
- Incisal: cutting edge of anterior teeth.
- Apical: toward the apex, the tip of the root.
Transient structures during tooth development
Enamel knot: Thickening of the internal dental epithelium at the center of the dental organ.
Enamel cord: Epithelial proliferation that seems to divide the dental organ in two.
Review the role of these two structures
Enamel niche: It is an artifact that is produced during section of the tissue. It occurs because the dental organ is a sheet of proliferating cells rather than a single strand. It looks like a concavity that contains ectomesenchyme.
MAXILLARY FIRST BICUSPID (PREMOLARS)
It is considered to be the typical bicuspid. (The word "bicuspid" means "having two cusps.")
Facial: The buccal surface is quite rounded and this tooth resembles the maxillary canine. The buccal cusp is long; from that cusp tip, the prominent buccal ridge descends to the cervical line of the tooth.
Lingual: The lingual cusp is smaller and the tip of that cusp is shifted toward the mesial. The lingual surface is rounded in all aspects.
Proximal: The mesial aspect of this tooth has a distinctive concavity in the cervical third that extends onto the root. It is called variously the mesial developmental depression, mesial concavity, or the 'canine fossa'--a misleading description since it is on the premolar. The distal aspect of the maxillary first permanent molar also has a developmental depression. The mesial marginal developmental groove is a distinctive feature of this tooth.
Occlusal: There are two well-defined cusps buccal and lingual. The larger cusp is the buccal; its cusp tip is located midway mesiodistally. The lingual cusp tip is shifted mesially. The occlusal outline presents a hexagonal appearance. On the mesial marginal ridge is a distinctive feature, the mesial marginal developmental groove.
Contact Points;The distal contact area is located more buccal than is the mesial contact area.
Root Surface:-The root is quite flat on the mesial and distal surfaces. In about 50 percent of maxillary first bicuspids, the root is divided in the apical third, and when it so divided, the tips of the facial and lingual roots are slender and finely tapered.
Formation and Eruption of Deciduous Teeth.
-Calcification begins during the fourth month of fetal life. By the end of the sixth month, all of the deciduous teeth have begun calcification.
-By the time the deciduous teeth have fully erupted (two to two and one half years of age), cacification of the crowns of permanent teeth is under way. First permanent molars have begun cacification at the time of birth. -Here are some things to know about eruption patterns:
(1) Teeth tend to erupt in pairs.
(2) Usually, lower deciduous teeth erupt first. Congenitally missing deciduous teeth is infrequent. Usually, the lower deciduous central incisors are thefirst to erupt thus initiating the deciduous dentition. The appearance of the deciduous second molars completes the deciduous dentition by 2 to 2 1/2 years of age.
- Deciduous teeth shed earlier and permanent teeth erupt earlier in girls.
- The orderly pattern of eruption and their orderly replacement by permanent teeth is important.
- order for eruption of the deciduous teeth is as follows:
(1) Central incisor.........Lower 6 ½ months, Upper 7 ½ months
(2) Lateral incisor.........Lower 7 months, Upper 8 months
(3) First deciduous molar...Lower 12-16 months, Upper 12-16 months
(4) Deciduous canine........Lower 16-20 months, Upper 16-20 months
(5) Second deciduous molar..Lower 20-30 months, Upper 20-30 months
The mixed dentition
I. Transition dentition between 6 and 12 years of age with primary tooth exfoliation and permanent tooth eruption
2. Its characteristic features have led this to be called the ugly duckling stage because of
a. Edentulated areas
b. Disproportionately sized teeth
c. Various clinical crown heights
d. Crowding
e. Enlarged and edematous gingiva
f. Different tooth colors
Histology of the Pulp
PARTICIPATING CELLS
1. Odontoblasts (body and process)
Most distinctive cells of the pulp
Single layer
The cells are columnar in the coronal portion, cuboidal in the middle portion, flat in the apical portion
Individual odontoblasts communicate with each other via junctions. The number of odontoblasts corresponds to the number of dentinal tubules.
The lifespan of an odontoblast equals the one of a vital tooth.
The morphology of the odontoblasts reflects their functional activity.
(There are three stages that reflect the functional activity of a cell: active, transitional and resting)
The odontoblastic process
2. Fibroblasts
Most numerous cells
Produce collagen fibers and ground substance
Ground substance consists of: proteoglycans and glycoproteins
Again, active and resting cells
Fibroblasts have also capability to degrade collagen
3. Undifferentiated mesenchymal cells A pool of cells from which connective tissue cells can derive.
They are reduced with age.
4. Endothelial cells, Schwann cells, pericytes and immunocompetent cells
MATRIX
It is composed of fibers and ground substance
55% of the fibers are Type I collagen. 45% of the fibers are Type III collagen.
The ground substance is gelatinous in the coronal aspect and more fibrous in the apical.
VASCULARITY
Superior and inferior alveolar arteries that derive from the external carotids
Afferent side of the circulation: arterioles
Efferent side of the circulation: venules
Lymphatics
Small, blind, thin-walled vessels in the coronal region of the pulp and exit via one or two larger vessels.