DENTIN

Introduction
 Provides bulk and generalized
form to the tooth
 Is an ectomesenchymal derivative
 First formed dental hard tissue
 In the Crown - dentin is covered
by enamel
 In the Root –dentin is covered by
cementum
 Determines the shape of the crown, roots

 Has tubules throughout its thickness – Dentinal

Tubules contains odontoblastic process

 Physically and chemically resemble bone

 It is a vital tissue

 Internally it forms the wall of the pulp cavity

Physical properties
 Color:

◦ Light yellowish

◦ Becomes darker with age

 Hardness:
◦ Harder than bone and cementum
◦ Softer than enamel – more radiolucent than
enamel
◦ Harder in the central part than near the pulp
or on its periphery
◦ Dentin of primary teeth slightly less hard than
that of permanent teeth
◦ Viscoelastic and subject to slight deformation
 Strength:
◦ Organic matrix and tubular architecture
provides greater compressive strength, tensile
and flexural strength than enamel
 Permeability:
◦ Depends on size and patency of tubules which
will decline with age

 Thickness:
◦ 3-10mm
◦ Thicker in boys
◦ Buccal > Lingual
◦ Increases with age
Chemical composition
Inorganic content:
65% Hydroxyapatite crystals –smaller than
enamel
Phosphates, Carbonates, sulfates, Fluoride

 Organic content:
35% Collagen type I, III,V –
Lipids
Non collagenous proteins
Water
 In the process of decalcification the
organic constituents can be retained and
maintain the shape of dentin

 Hence can be seen in decalcified sections

 But enamel being over 90% mineral is lost

after decalcification
 Structure
 The bodies of the odontoblasts are
arranged in a layer on the pulpal
surface of the dentin
 Their cytoplasmic process – in the
tubules
 Traverses throughout the dentin and
terminates in a branching network at
DEJ
 Dentinal tubules
A. COURSE:
◦ S shaped curve - called
PRIMARY CURVATURE

◦ Doubly curved course

starting at right angles to
the pulpal surface and
ending perpendicular to
the DEJ and CDJ
◦ First convexity of the S –
shaped dentinal tubule is
directed towards the apex of
the tooth

◦ This shape of dentinal tubule

is attributed to the Course
taken by odontoblasts during
dentinogenesis. They crowd
as they move from DEJ
towards the pulp
◦ Less pronounced in
root dentin

◦ Least pronounced
in cervical third of
root and beneath
the incisal edge and
cusp tips (may run
an almost straight
course)
B. SECONDARY CURVATURES
 Smaller
oscillations within
the primary
curvatures
[Link]:
◦ Crown – DEJ to pulp
◦ Root – CDJ to pulp
◦ Tubules are longer than the thickness of
dentin

[Link]:
◦ 2.5μm near pulp
◦ 1.2μm in mid portion
◦ 900nm near the DEJ
E. DENSITY
◦ Tubules are farther apart in the periphery and
closer near the pulp
◦ Number of tubules per unit area on the pulpal
and outer surface of dentin is about 4:1
◦ Near the pulpal surface – 50,000 – 90,000
tubules per square mm
◦ More tubules per unit area in the crown than
in the root
 F. BRANCHING
 Lateral branching
- arise more or less at right angles from
the main tubule
- seen throughout the dentin
- 1μm or less in diameter
-termed as canaliculi or microtuble
- Seen at intervals of 1-2μm along the length
of the dentinal tubule

• Terminal branching
◦ 500-1000μm in diameter
◦ Represent terminal branching of tubules
◦ More frequent in root dentin than in
coronal dentin
 Types of dentin/classification
Based on location
 Coronal dentin – dentin in the crown
 Radicular dentin –dentin in the root
Based on formation
 Primary dentin –
a. mantle dentin
b. circumpulpal dentin
 Secondary dentin
 Tertiary dentin
a reactionary
b. reparative
c. osteodentin
Based on relation to the dentinal tubule
 Peritubular / intratubular
 Intertubular

Other
Interglobular dentin
Predentin
Sclerotic dentin/transparent dentin
 Primary dentin
A. Mantle dentin
 First formed mineralised
dentin underlying the DEJ

 Outermost part of primary

dentin

 It is soft and thus provides

the cushioning effect

 Seen in the crown between

DEJ and interglobular dentin
 Seen in the root underlying the Tomes granular layer

 About 20 μm thick

 Collagen Fibrils in this zone are perpendicular to DEJ

and are larger in size than those in circumpulpal dentin
 These larger diameter collagen fibrils are argyrophilic
(silver stained) and are known as von Koff’s fibers.
 They contain mainly type III collagen

 Has fewer defects than circumpulpal dentin

 Matrix vesicle are involved in mineralization of this

dentin (unlike other dentin)
Circumpulpal dentin
 Forms the bulk of the
tooth and the dentin that
is formed before the root
formation is complete
 Collagen fibrils are
smaller, closely packed
 More mineralised than
mantle dentin (4%)
Secondary dentin
 Represents dentin formed after the root formation is
complete

 A narrow band of dentin bordering the pulp

 Has fewer tubules than primary dentin

 There is a bend in the tubules

where between primary
dentin and secondary dentin interface
 Formed more slowly than primary dentin

 Not formed uniformly

◦ More on the roof and floor of the coronal pulp
chamber
 It is not formed in response to any external stimuli
 it also known as regular secondary dentin due to
regular arrangement of dentinal tubules
 Tertiary dentin
 Reactive, response or reparative,
or irregular secondary dentin

 Localised formation of dentin on

the pulp dentin border -
Produced only by cells directly
affected

 Produced in reaction to various

stimuli – attrition, caries,
restorative procedures
 The quality (or architecture) and the quantity of
tertiary dentin produced are related to the cellular
response initiated by stimuli (intensity and duration of
stimulus)
 Tubules may be
◦ sparse in number
◦ Irregular or
◦ No tubules at all
 Usually the cells forming tertiary dentin
(odontoblasts) line its surface but sometimes they
may get entrapped in the dentine this is called as
Osteodentin (mimicking osteocytes in bone)
 Tertiary dentin is subclassified as –
reactionary – deposited by the preexisting
odontoblasts
reparative –deposited by newly differentiated
odontoblast-like cells
Peritubular dentin / Intratubular dentin
 Dentin that immediately surrounds the dentinal tubules
 Forms the wall of tubules
 Highly mineralized (9% more)than intertubular dentin
 Twice thicker in the outer dentin (0.75μm)
than in the inner dentin (0.4μm)
 By its growth, it constricts the dentinal
tubule to almost 1μm near DEJ
 Also called as intratubular dentin since
deposition of minerals occur on the inner
wall of the tubule
  Due to high mineral content it is completely
lost after decalcification –thus odontoblastic
process appears to be surrounded by empty
space

Cross section of dentine after

Cross section of dentine demineralization
(without demineralization)
 lamina limitans –
-
- some investigators believe that calcified tubule wall has
an inner organic lining termed lamina limitans
- thin organic membrane rich in GAG’s

- but some investigators believe that it is only the

plasma membrane of the odontoblastic process
Intertubular dentin
 Constitutes the main body of the dentin
 Located between the dentinal tubules or
between zones of peritubular dentin
 Highly Mineralised (lesser than peritubular
dentin) but retained after decalcification
 Organic matrix consists of randomly oriented collagen
fibres (0.5 – 0.2μm) tightly interwoven and at right
angles to dentinal tubules

 Hydroxyapatite crystals (0.1 μm in length) are parallel

to the collagen fibrils
 Predentin

 unmineralised dentin matrix

is called as Predentin

 Located adjacent to pulp

tissue

 2-6 μm wide

 Appears pale staining than

the mineralized dentin
 As collagen fibres
undergo mineralisation at
the predentin-dentin
junction, predentin
becomes dentin and a
new layer of predentin
forms circumpulpally

 In mineralised dentin,
collagen fibrils are of
larger diameter (100nm)
and more closely packed
than in predentin
Interglobular dentin
 These are Areas of hypomineralised / unmineralised
dentin
 Found in crown of teeth in the circumpulpal dentin just
below mantle dentin where pattern of mineralization is
largely globular
 Sometimes mineralization of dentin occurs in small
globular areas that fail to coalesce into homogenous
mass.
 This results in zone of hypomineralization between
the globules.
 The dentinal tubules pass uninterruptedly through the
interglobular dentin, thus indicting that it is defect of
mineralization and not of matrix formation.
 The areas appear dark in transmitted light in ground
sections
Normal architecture of dentinal tubules
remains unchanged as they run uninterruptedly
through the interglobular area
 Odontoblastic process / Tomes fibres
 These are cytoplasmic extensions of
the odontoblasts
 Odontoblasts are seen at the pulp-
predentin border and the processes
extend into the dentinal tubules
 Largest in diameter near the pulp
(3-4 μm) and tapers to 1μm
 Diameter of odontoblast cell body
is 7 μm and length is 40 μm
 Extent of odontoblastic processes into dentin –
some odontoblast process traverse the thickness of
the dentine whereas some are short due to
obliteration by mineral deposition
 Content - Consists of microtubules of 20 μm in
diameter and small filament 5-7.5 μm diameter
- Also contains mitochondria, dense bodies,
lysosomes, mirovesicles, coated vesicles
 Odontoblast process divide near the DEJ and may
extend into the enamel as enamel spindles
 Lateral branches rises from the process and extent
into adjacent tubules.
Incremental lines

 Dentinogenesis occurs
rhythmically
 Alternating phases of
activity and quiescence
 Daily rhythmic deposition
of matrix as well as
hesitation in daily
formative process is
represented as
incremental lines of
von Ebner
 Seen best in longitudinal
sections
 Appears as fine lines or
striations in dentin
 Run at right angles to the
dentinal tubules
 Distance between the
lines varies from 4-8 μm
in crown and much less in
root
 Daily increment decreases
after a tooth reaches
functional occlusion
Contour lines of Owen
 Accentuated incremental lines
 Due to Disturbance in matrix
and mineralization process
 They represent hypocalcified
bands
Neonatal line
 Accentuated contour line

 Seen in deciduous teeth

and permanent first
molars

 Reflects abrupt change in

environment that occurs
at birth
 Separates prenatal
dentin and post
natal dentin

 Dentin matrix
formed before
birth is of better
quality

 May be a zone of
hypocalcification
Tomes granular layer
 In dry ground sections root
dentin a granular zone
adjacent to cementum is
seen in transmitted light

 This zone Increases in

amount from CEJ to root
apex

 Caused by coalescing and

looping of terminal portions
of dentinal tubules
 Considered as a result of
odontoblasts turning on
themselves during early
dentin formation.
 These are spaces seen
only in ground sections
and not in H&E stained
sections OR electron
micrographs
 Cementodentinal junction
 This junction between
dentin and cementum is
relatively straight.
 It may be scalloped in
deciduous dentition.
 This junction is very distinct
in cellular cementum than
acellular.
 In decalcified sections,
cementodentinal junction
can be identified more
distinctly because cementum
stains more intensely than
dentin.
 Innervation of dentin
 Dentin is sensitive.
 A tooth cannot differentiate between different stimuli like..heat,
cold, drying, high osmotic pressure etc. all these stimuli produce
PAIN sensation
 DEJ is the most sensitive area
 Nerve fibers accompany 30 to 70% of odontoblastic process.
These are called as INTRATUBULAR NERVES.
 These nerves are seen in predentin and inner dentin upto 100 to
150 μm from the pulp.
 These nerve endings are found in close association with the
odontoblastic process within the tubule.
 These nerves are terminal processes of myelinated nerves of the
pulp
 The pain conducted by these nerves is carried to the descending
trigeminal nuclear complex (subnucleus caudalis)
Dentin sensitivity

 3 theories for pain transmission through

dentin

◦ Direct neural stimulation

◦ Fluid/hydrodynamic theory
◦ Transduction theory
 Direct neural stimulation
 This theory states that the nerves in the dentin are
directly stimulated by the stimuli.
 but this theory is not widely accepted because –
➢ nerves in dentinal tubules are not commonly seen
and even if they are present, they do not extend
beyond the inner dentin.
➢ Topical application of local anesthetics do not
abolish sensitivity
Hydrodynamic theory
 Most popular and accepted theory
 Stimuli affect fluid movement in the
dentinal tubules
 Stimuli could be – heat, cold, air blast
dessication, mechanical or osmotic
pressure
 Fluid movement – inward/outward causes
mechanical disturbance of the nerves
closely associated with odontoblast and
its process. They act as mechanoreceptors
Transduction theory
 Odontoblastic process is excited by the
stimulus and impulse is transmitted to
nerve endings in the inner dentin
 Not accepted because there are no
neurotransmitter vesicles in the
odontoblast process to facilitate the
synapse or synaptic specialisation
Age and Functional changes
 Vitality of dentin
 Reparative dentin
 Dead tracts
 Sclerotic dentin
Vitality
 Dentin is a vital tissue as
- it has odontoblast and its process as its
integral part
- it has the capacity to react to physiologic and
pathologic stimuli
 Dentin is laid down throughout life (secondary
dentin) but at a slower rate.
 As age advances, the ability of dentin to respond
to stimuli decreases
Reparative dentin
 Abrasion, erosion, caries, operative procedures –
odontoblast processes are exposed or cut, odontoblasts
die or survive
 If they survive the dentin that is produced is known as
reactionary or regenerated dentin

 If Odontoblasts are killed then they are replaced by

migration of undifferentiated cells (cell rich zone /
undifferentiated perivascular cells). These newly formed
odontoblasts form reparative dentin
 The purpose of this reactionary or reparative
dentin (tertiary dentin) is to seal off the zone of
injury, occurs as a healing process initiated by pulp.
Thus the inflammation can resolve.

 This dentin is characterized by fewer, more twisted

tubules. Sometimes entrapped cells – osteodentin

 Combination of osteodentin and tubular dentin

can also be seen
 As this dentin is irregular in nature, it is also
known as irregular secondary dentin
 Dead tracts
 Dentin areas characterized by degenerated
odontoblastic processes give rise to dead tracts.
 Are seen in dried ground sections of normal dentin
 Sometimes, the Odontoblastic processes disintegrate
and the empty tubules are filled with air. Such tubules
appears black in transmitted light and white in reflected
light.
 Odontoblastic process may be lost –
caries, attrition, abrasion, cavity preparation,
erosion especially in area of narrow
pulp horns due to crowding of odontoblasts
 Even areas where reparative dentin seals the dentinal
tubules at their pulpal ends, the dentinal tubules may be
filled with fluid or gaseous substances
 Dead tracts demonstrate decreased sensitivity.
 Appear to a greater extent in older teeth
 Probably the initial step in the formation of sclerotic
dentin
 Sclerotic dentin
 Also called transparent dentin –
similar refractive indices
 Stimuli like caries, attrition,
abrasion, cavity preparation,
erosion induces protective
changes.
 These protective changes
includes reparative dentin
formation and also changes
occurs in existing dentin
 Collagen fibres and apatite
crystals appear in the dentinal
tubules.
 Leads to Blocking of tubules – a
defensive mechanism of dentin
 Intially crystals are sporadic but later
the tubule is filled with fine meshwork
of crystals – obliterates the lumen of
the tubule
 This mineral deposited appears very
much similar to the peritubular dentin
 The refractive indices of this dentin in
which tubules are occluded and the
intertubular dentin are equalized and
thus become transparent.
 Sclerosis
◦ Reduces the permeability of dentin
◦ Prolongs pulp vitality
 Appear white in transmitted light &
black in reflected light
 Seen in older individuals especially in the
roots
 The sclerotic dentin is harder than the
normal dentin but fracture and toughness
is reduced
 The crystal size is smaller.
Clinical considerations
 1mm2 of exposed dentin – 30,000 cells
damaged
◦ Not be insulted by bacterial toxins, drugs,
undue operative trauma, unnecessary thermal
changes, irritating restorative materials
◦ Sealed with non irritating insulating substance
 Spread of caries –
◦ Tubular system
◦ undermining of enamel at the DEJ
◦ Invasion of micrcoorganisms
◦ Dentin sensitivity – not a symptom of caries
unless pulp is affected
 Trauma from operative instruments
◦ Aspiration of odontoblast within the tubule
◦ Reperative dentin formation – sub
odontoblastic layer
 Indirect pulp capping
 Direct pulp capping
 Smear layer?? - permeability
 Dentinogenesis
Definition: process of formation of dentin by odontoblasts
Differentiation of odontoblasts

Formation of mantle predentin

Mantle dentin
Primary Mineralization of mantle predentin
dentin
formation Formation of circumpulpal predentin
Circumpulpal
dentin
Mineralization of circumpulpal predentin

Secondary dentin formation

 INTRODUCTION
 Begins at bell stage.
 Odontoblasts are differentiated from ectomesenchymal cells of
dental papilla after receiving stimulus from IEE
 It is a two phase sequence:
a) matrix (predentin) formation
b) mineralization of matrix
 As each increment of predentin is formed it remains for a day and
then mineralizes.

A) ODONTOBLAST DIFFERENTIATION
 Dental papilla cells are small and undifferentiated with central
nucleus and few organelles.
 Seperated from IEE by an acellular zone that contains some fine
collagen fibrils.
 When cells of IEE shows reverse polarity, changes also occurs in
adjacent dental papilla.
 Ovoid Cells enlarge ----preodontoblast--- columnar
odontoblast as their cytoplasm increases in volume to
contain increase amount of protein synthesizing
organelles.
 Odontoblast are highly polarized with nucleus located
away from IEE.
 Acellular zone is eliminated by odontoblast.
 One or several processes arises from the apical end of
the cell in contact with basal lamina.
 IEE plays a crucial role in odontoblastic differentiation as
follows:
 IEE cells reverses polarity
Secretes

signaling molecules and growth factors

Organizing influence

(like TGF, IGF, BMP)

These are taken up by Pre-odontoblasts (peripheral

cell in dental papilla)

Leads to reorganization in the cytoskeleton assembly and

relocation of organelles

Pre-odontoblast changes its shape from ovoid to columnar

and nuclei shifts basally-- becomes Odontoblast
 IEE
Diffferentiation
of
odontoblasts
B.) FORMATION OF MANTLE DENTINE

I. Formation of mantle predentine

 First collagen synthesized by the odontoblast is deposited in
the ground substance of dental papilla.
 These collagen fibrils are large diameter 0.1-0.2 micron meter,
type III, argyrophillic and oriented perpendicular to DEJ (VON
KORFF’S FIBERS Enamel

VON KORFF’S FIBERS

 Later, Odontoblast continue to increase in size,
produce smaller type I collagen that orient
themselves parallel to future DEJ.
 As the cell recedes it leaves its cytoplasmic
processes into the forming extracellular matrix.
(Tomes’ fibers)
 Occasionally some fibers may penetrate the basal lamina and
get interposed between cells of IEE – enamel spindles
 Thus a mantle Predentin layer is formed
II. Mineralization of mantle dentine

• requires matrix vesicles

Matrix vesicles
•are membrane bound vesicle.
• Provides microenvironment for the formation of apetite crystal

• Contents - alkaline phosphatase, metalloproteinases,

adenosin triphosphatase, proteoglycans and anionic
phospholipids

• Function - it locally increases the concentration of phosphates &

these combines with calcium taken up from tissue
fluid to form apatite crystal within it.
• Small matrix vesicles buds off which lie superficially near
the basement membrane.

• Mineral phase first appears within the matrix vesicles as

single crystals.

• Crystal grow and vesicle ruptures releasing the crystal

into matrix

• Crystal grows further and fuse with adjacent crystals to

form a continuous layer of mineralized matrix.
 Ameloblasts

Enamel

Mantle dentin
Odontoblastc
process

Formation of mantle dentin

C) FORMATION OF CIRCUMPULPAL DENTIN
 Odontoblasts enlarge and are fully mature
 They secretes both the collagen and the ground
substance to form the organic matrix.
 These collagen fibers are small in diameter, arranged in
closely packed bundle which are parallel to the basement
membrane
 Odontoblasts do not release matrix vesicles, instead secrets
components like lipids, phosphoproteins, etc in the matrix
which helps in mineralization
 Mineralization can be linear or globular
 In linear pattern- hydroxyapetite crystals are deposited on
the collegen fibrils parallel to it
 In globular (calcospheric) pattern – crystal are deposited
radially from common center called as spherulite form

 Dentin formation proceeds in the manner throughout.

 DEJ

Mantle dentin

Circumpulpal dentin
(fibers arranged parallel
to DEJ)
D.) SECONDARY DENTINOGENESIS

 Secondary dentine is formed after completion of root

formation.
 It is laid down as a continuation of primary dentin by
the same odontoblasts.
 Pattern of dentin formation is same but is at much
slow rate
 Subtle Demarcation line present between primary and
secondary dentine on histological sections.
 Crowding or death of odontoblast occurs as a result of
reduced surface area of the inner dentin surface
 Less tubules and Less regular organization of dentinal
tubules is seen.
Pattern and distribution of calcospherites
 Shape
◦ Most are spherical
◦ Some are arcade shaped with convexity facing outer surface and concavity
facing pulp
 Size
◦ Arcade variety is larger than the spherical variety

Size and shape depend on the rate of dentin formation

 Location
◦ Mantle dentin of crown, hyaline layer of root, superficial circumpulpal dentin
– small, spherical and closely packed
◦ Mid region of circumpulpal dentin - larger, arcade and more widely spaced
◦ Inner circumpulpal dentin - spherical calcospherites

 Interglobular dentin