Reparative dentine formation and pulp morphology

Abstract

Experimental tooth replants in dogs were examined for pulpodentinal repair. The hypothesis was that the type of dentinal response is dependent upon the status of the adjacent pulp. Seven distinct pulpodentinal responses were observed in the teeth examined. These responses were (1) regular tubular reparative dentine, (2) irregular reparative dentine with diminished tubular structure, (3) irregular reparative dentine with encapsulated cells (osteodentine), (4) irregular (immature) bone, (5) regular (lamellated) bone or cementum, (6) internal resorption, and (7) aplasia. Seven distinctive pulpal environments were associated with each of the dentinal responses, thus supporting the hypothesis. It was concluded that the pulp and dentine should be considered as one organ, since the dentinal response could be predicted from the pulpal morphology and vice versa. Healing took place more quickly in the apical portions of the tooth near the vascular supply than in the coronal portions, and the dentine in this area was more highly organized and greater in quantity than that formed coronally.