📖 Dental Anatomy
Dentinogenesis
Dental AnatomyDentinogenesis
Dentin formation, known as dentinogenesis, is the first identifiable feature in the crown stage of tooth development. The formation of dentin must always occur before the formation of enamel. The different stages of dentin formation result in different types of dentin: mantle dentin, primary dentin, secondary dentin, and tertiary dentin.
Odontoblasts, the dentin-forming cells, differentiate from cells of the dental papilla. They begin secreting an organic matrix around the area directly adjacent to the inner enamel epithelium, closest to the area of the future cusp of a tooth. The organic matrix contains collagen fibers with large diameters (0.1-0.2 μm in diameter). The odontoblasts begin to move toward the center of the tooth, forming an extension called the odontoblast process. Thus, dentin formation proceeds toward the inside of the tooth. The odontoblast process causes the secretion of hydroxyapatite crystals and mineralization of the matrix. This area of mineralization is known as mantle dentin and is a layer usually about 150 μm thick.
Whereas mantle dentin forms from the preexisting ground substance of the dental papilla, primary dentin forms through a different process. Odontoblasts increase in size, eliminating the availability of any extracellular resources to contribute to an organic matrix for mineralization. Additionally, the larger odontoblasts cause collagen to be secreted in smaller amounts, which results in more tightly arranged, heterogenous nucleation that is used for mineralization. Other materials (such as lipids, phosphoproteins, and phospholipids) are also secreted.
Secondary dentin is formed after root formation is finished and occurs at a much slower rate. It is not formed at a uniform rate along the tooth, but instead forms faster along sections closer to the crown of a tooth. This development continues throughout life and accounts for the smaller areas of pulp found in older individuals. Tertiary dentin, also known as reparative dentin, forms in reaction to stimuli, such as attrition or dental caries.
The dentin in the root of a tooth forms only after the presence of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS), near the cervical loop of the enamel organ. Root dentin is considered different than dentin found in the crown of the tooth (known as coronal dentin) because of the different orientation of collagen fibers, the decrease of phosphoryn levels, and the less amount of mineralization.
Formation and Eruption of Deciduous Teeth.
Dental AnatomyFormation 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
PULP
Dental AnatomyPULP
Coronal
Occupies and resembles the crown,
Contains the pulp horns
It decreases in size with age
Radicular
Occupies roots
Contains the apical foramen
It decreases in size with age
Accessory apical canals
PULP FUNCTIONS
Inductive: The pulp anlage initiates tooth formation and probably induces the dental organ to become a particular type of tooth.
Formative: Pulp odontoblasts develop the organic matrix and function in its calcification.
Nutritive: Nourishment of dentin through the odontoblasts.
Protective: Sensory nerves in the tooth respond almost always with PAIN to all stimuli (heat, cold, pressure, operative procedures, chamical agents).
Defensive or reparative: It responds to irritation by producing reparative dentin. The response to stimuli is inflammation.
Histologically the pulp consists of delicate collagen fibers, blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves and cells. A histologic section of the pulp reveals four cellular zones:
Odontoblastic
Cell-free (Weil)
Cell-rich
Pulp core
Differences Between the Deciduous and Permanent Teeth
Dental AnatomyDifferences Between the Deciduous and Permanent Teeth
1. Deciduous teeth are fewer in number and smaller in size but the deciduous molars are wider mesiodistally than the premolars. The deciduous anteriors are narrower mesiodistally than their permanent successors. Remember the leeway space that we discussed in the unit on occlusion?
2. Their enamel is thinner and whiter in appearance. Side by side, this is obvious in most young patients.
3. The crowns are rounded. The deciduous teeth are constricted at the neck (cervix).
4. The roots of deciduous anterior teeth are longer and narrower than the roots of their permanent successors.
5. The roots of deciduous molars are longer and more slender than the roots of the permanent molars. Also, they flare greatly.
6. The cervical ridges of enamel seen on deciduous teeth are more prominent than on the permanent teeth. This 'bulge' is very pronounced at the mesiobuccal of deciduous first molars.
G. Deciduous cervical enamel rods incline incisally/occlusally.