Pulp

Pulp is the innermost part of the tooth and is made up of living connective tissue and cells called odontoblasts. The pulp is a part of the dentin-pulp complex (endodontium). The vitality of the dentin-pulp complex, both during health and after injury, depends on pulp cell activity and the signaling processes that regulate the cell's behavior.

Anatomy

The pulp is the neurovascular bundle central to each tooth, permanent or primary. It comprises a central pulp chamber, pulp horns, and radicular canals. The large mass of pulp is contained within the pulp chamber, which is located in the coronal part of the tooth. The pulp horns are the smaller, pointed extensions of pulp that extend into the cusps of the tooth. The radicular pulp canals extend down from the cervical area of the tooth through the root.

Function

The primary function of the dental pulp is to form dentin (the substance beneath the tooth enamel on the crown and the cementum on the root). Other functions of the pulp include nutritive function, sensory function, protective function, and reparative/regenerative function.

Clinical significance

Diseases of the pulp and the tissues around the root of a tooth can lead to serious health problems. Pulpitis and pulp necrosis are two major diseases that affect the pulp. Pulpitis is the inflammation of the pulp tissue that can be triggered by trauma, infection, or decay. Pulp necrosis is the death of pulp tissue caused by irreversible pulpitis, and can lead to dental abscess if left untreated.

See also

• Dentin
• Tooth enamel
• Dental abscess
• Pulpitis
• Endodontium

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