QIUZ on PULP and PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT

1-2 Parts of pulp cavity

-The pulp cavity is the central cavity within a tooth and is entirely enclosed by dentin except at the apical
foramen
*1. CORONAL PORTION-PULP CHAMBERlocated in the crown of the tooth
*2. RADICULAR PORTION-ROOT CANALwhich are located in the root(s) of the tooth.

3-7 Enumerate 5 principal fiber groups

-The main principal fiber group is the alveolodental ligament, which consists of five fiber subgroups
*3. Alveolar crest
*4. Horizontal
*5. Oblique
*6. Apical
*7. Interradicular (on multirooted teeth)

8-10 Three general classification of pulp stones

*8. True Denticles
*9. False Denticles
*10. Diffused calcifications

Essay
1. Why should we always protect the pulp from injuries (like accidentally exposing pulp during
restorative procedures etc.)? 5 pts
-We should always protect the pulp from injuries because pulp is the most vital part of the tooth,
originating in the center of the tooth, center perceiving thermal irritation, pain from trauma, pressure
and other stimulation, the tooth pulp is soft and consists of living blood vessels, connective tissue, and
large nerves, it also contains all the living tissue in the tooth and acts as a kind of brain or heart for the
rest of the tooth. It provides the blood and other materials needed to create and grow the teeth. The dental
pulp is the nerve center of the tooth, which is also where most of the pain comes from. The nerve
networks of the dental pulp are extensive, which is probably why toothaches are so painful and
debilitating. Also, we must protect the pulp from injuries because its most important job is to produce
dentin, which is a calcified tissue that serves as the second layer of the tooth, supporting the enamel above
it. Pulp, the innermost vascularized tissue has both blood supply and reparative cells, which means that
the pulp can heal completely, only if it is not irreversibly damaged, or, the injurious stimuli is removed
before it damages the pulp that can cause tooth loss.
2. How does the periodontal ligament perform/demonstrate its supportive function? 5pts
The PDL has many functions including the “Supportive Function”, when a tooth is moved in its
socket as a result of forces acting on it during mastication or through application of an orthodontic
force part of periodontal space will be narrowed and the periodontal ligament in these areas will be
compressed. Other parts will be widened. The compressed ligament provides support for the loaded
teeth. PDL support the tooth within the jaw, permits the tooth to withstand the suitable forces of
mastication, it is non elastic which prevent the tooth from being moved too far, it also acts cushion to
distribute the masticatory force and transmit it to the alveolar bone. Also, when the tooth moved in it
in the socket the PDL that is found around the tooth get compressed and provide support to teeth.
The numerous collagen fibers that occur in PDL act as cushion to withstand force of mastication.
PDL forms a functional system, which provides an attachment for the tooth to the bone of the jaw,
while at the same time permitting the teeth to withstand the considerable forces of mastication. The
PDL serves primarily a supportive function by attaching the tooth to the surrounding alveolar bone
proper. This function is mediated primarily by the principal fibers of the PDL that form a strong
fibrous union between the root cementum and the bone. The PDL also serves as a shock absorber
by mechanisms that provide resistance to light as well as heavy forces. Light forces are cushioned
by intravascular fluid that is forced out of the blood vessels. Moderate forces are also absorbed by
the extravascular tissue fluid that is forced out of the PDL space into the adjacent marrow spaces.
The heavier forces are taken up by the principal fibers. In short, the supportive function is the major
function of PDL as it attaches the tooth to its bony socket and suspends the tooth in its socket,
separating it from the socket wall, so that the root does not collide with the bone during mastication.
The PDL is a part of the periodontium that provides for the attachment of the teeth to the
surrounding alveolar bone by way of the cementum. PDL fibres also provide a role in load transfer
between the teeth and alveolar bone. (PDL fibres absorb and transmit forces between teeth and
alveolar bone. It acts as an effective support during the masticatory function.). Teeth are subjected
to forces with different magnitude, direction of application and frequency of application and
frequency of application during mastication, speech, and orthodontic tooth movement. The PDL
plays a central role in withstanding these forces during mastication are applied in different directions,
both compression and tension areas exist in PDL during a regular loading scheme. The mechanical
strength of PDL is derived from collagen Type 1 fibers.