You may have wondered at some point in your life what dental pulp is about. You may not have even heard of dental pulp. Either way, we at Cascade Endodontics in Orem UT can explain it to you.
The pulp consists of soft tissues inside the tooth, as well as blood vessels and nerves. It is located at the center of the tooth, just beneath the dentin. The function of the dental pulp is to contain and protect the developing tooth in its early stages, as well as to produce important substances necessary for its growth and development. These include cells that form into teeth, as well as nerve endings that send pain signals to the brain when irritated.
These important functions mean that it is important to leave as much dental pulp intact inside the tooth, whenever possible. This is why teeth that have suffered trauma or have had cavities that reach into the pulp are considered endodontic (pulp) cases, and will be treated by a specialized dentist known as an endodontist.
What is Dental Pulp made out of?
The dental pulp is composed of three main types of tissues:
Dental Pulp Cells – Also known as odontoblasts, these cells form the teeth itself, through a process called odontogenesis. During this process, the cells divide and differentiate into three different types of tissues that eventually form dentin, teeth enamel, and pulp tissue.
Nerves – The dental pulp contains two types of nerves: sensory and nervus proprius. The former transmit pain signals to the brain, while the latter functions to coordinate the movement of teeth in chewing.
Blood Vessels – Like other organs, the dental pulp is composed of blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to the tissue.
At Cascade Endodontics in Orem UT, we are dental pulp specialists. We treat the inner tissue of the tooth as a specialty. Schedule an appointment with us today.