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Dental pulp

Also known as: Dental nerve, Tooth “pulp”, Dental neurovascular bundle

The dental pulp (Latin pulpa dentis) is loose connective tissue filling the internal cavity of the tooth. It contains cellular structures, a complex network of blood and lymphatic vessels, as well as nerve fibers and receptors. The pulp is the biological center of the tooth, providing nourishment, innervation, and protection.

Etiology and Pathophysiology

The main feature of the pulp is its location in an enclosed chamber with non-expandable walls. Due to this, during inflammation (hyperemia and edema of the pulp), the pressure inside the tooth rapidly increases, leading to compression of vessels and nerves. The limited collateral blood flow through the narrow apical foramen reduces the regenerative capacity of the pulp tissue during severe injuries.

Clinical significance

The pulp is responsible for dentin formation, nourishment of the tooth’s hard tissues, protecting the periodontium from infection, and sensory perception of stimuli. Most acute toothaches are due to pulp inflammation. In cases of irreversible damage, the pulp must be removed, after which the tooth retains its function but loses its ability for sensory perception and dentin regeneration.