DENTIN

Oral histology
Dr Aisha Al Areibi
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Dentin forms the main bulk of

the tooth.
First formed structure
Consists of large number of
tubules in a mineralized
collagen matrix
Resemble the bone (physically
and chemically)
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Physical characteristics
Yellowish in colour
High degree of elasticity
Dentin thickness varies from 3-10 mm
Less in hardness than enamel
Harder than bone and cementum
Radiographically, it is more radiolucent than enamel and
more radio-opaque than cementum
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Dentin is harder in center than near the pulp.

Dentin determines the shape of crown, number and
size of root.
Vital and has nerve fibers but avascular (non living).
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Chemical properties of dentin

70 %
inorganic
material

Hydroxyapatite crystal, calcium Collagen (I,III,V) ,

carbonate , sulphate,phosphate, mucopolysaccaride. Enzyme,
trace zn, fe, cu lipid
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Dentin is formed by cells called odontoblasts that

differentiate from ectomesyncymal cells of dental papilla
(neural crest in origin) following the influence from the
inner enamel epithelium.
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Histological structures
The histological structure of
dentin is studied by using ground
section for inorganic part and
decalcified section for organic part

The unit structure of dentin is

dentinal tubule.
They are closely packed on the
pulpal surface of dentin and
transverse the entire thickness of
dentin.
.Each odontoblast gives
cytoplasmic process (Tome’s
fibers)
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Dentinal tubules
The dentinal tubules passage from pulp to outer dentin take
an S shaped course (primary curvature)
The dentinal tubules take a straight course in the root and
under the cusps or incisal edges.
Dentinal tubules are closely packed towards the pulpal
surface than on outer surface of dentin(due to small pulpal
surface)
The ratio between the number of tubules per unit area on
pulpal and outer surfaces of dentin is 4-1
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Each tubule shows many small

secondary curve along its course
as result of the spiral track made
by odontoblastic process
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 Each odontoblastic process gives a fine

branches along its course called lateral
branches or canaliculi.

 It is at right angle to the dentinal tubule.

Some of them enter adjacent tubules.
 A few odontoblastic processes extend into
the enamel and these called enamel
spindle
 The branches of dentinal tubules near DEJ
called terminal branches
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Contents of dentinal tubules

1.The odontoblastic process (Tome’s fiber )
2. Nerve terminals.
3. Dentinal fluid
Periodontoblastic space located between the
wall of tubule and the odontoblastic process.
this space contains tissue fluid ,dentinal lymph
and collagen fibers. It is important because the
tissue changes in dentin occur in this location.
The wall of dentinal tubule is covered by
protein called lamina limitans
Each odontoblastic process is surrounded
by peritubular dentin
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Peritubular dentin(intratubular dentin)

Is surrounded each odontoblastic process.
Forms the wall of tubules
It is highly calcified or mineralized zone (contain more
mineral).
Formation of the peritubular dentin is a continuous process
within the dentinal tubules that lead to narrowing of the tubule
Lost during decalcification
Intertubular dentin
 The main body of dentin is composed of intertubular
dentin
 It is located between the dentinal tubules
 It represent the prime secretory product of the
odontoblast
 Less mineralized than intratubular
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Hypocalcified structure of dentin

Interglobular dentin
Is an area of un-minerlized or hypo-
mineralized dentin that is found in
mature dentin.
Calcification of dentin starts in the form
of globules which normally fuse
together to form homogeneous
substance. Some time the globules are
failed to fuse and remain separated, so
the area of organic matrix between the
globules remain uncalcified and
bounded by the curved outline of the
globule.
Follow the incremental line
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The dentinal tubule pass uninterrupted in the

interglobular dentin
It appears black when seen with transmitted light
It can be seen in the circumpulpal dentin. It confined to
the crown but in poorly developed tooth it is found in any
part of dentin
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Granular layer of Tome’s

• In the root near the CDJ , hypominearlized area of
dentin called Tome’s granular layer
• This granular appearance could be due to incomplete
fusion of globules but differs from interglobular
dentin of the crown in
a)it is small.
b) it dose not follow any incremental pattern
• The layer appear black due to disintegration of
organic material
• This layer may result from
1)interference in mineralisation before cementum
formation.
2) looping of the terminal portion of dentinal tubule
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Incremental lines of dentin

VonEbners lines:
 These line reflect the daily rhythmically
deposition of dentin
 They appear as fine lines that run at right
angle to the dentinal tubules
 The distant between the lines at cusp-4µm
At pulp-2µm
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• If disturbance in calcification
process occurs some incremental
line accentuated and they are
know as the contour of Owen
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Neonatal line
 A zone of hypocalcification
 Primary teeth and permanent
first molars
 Accentuated incremental line
 Reflects abrupt change in
environment
 The dentin formed before birth
has better quality
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Types of dentin
Dentin

Tertiary
primary Secondary Reparative
regular reactionary
irregular
Mantle

circumpulpal

peritubular

intertubular
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Types of dentin
Primary dentin:

 Formed before root completion

 Formed by primary odontoblast
 Formed in faster rate
 Gives initial shape of the tooth
 It continues to grow till 3 years
after tooth eruption

1. Mantle dentin
2. circumpulpal
3. Peritubular
4. intertubular
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Mantle dentin
 It is the first layer of primary dentin (outer layer)
 Below the DEJ
 It contains thick collagen fibers mainly type III (Vonkorff’s fibers)
 These large collagen fibers prependicular to DEJ
 It is less mineralized than circumpulpal dentin (5%)
 It undergoes mineralization in presence of matrix vesicles
 The pattern of minerlization is linear
 The ground substance from dental papilla and odontoblast

Circumpulpal dentin
 Form the bulk of tooth
 More mineralized than mantle
 Pattern of minearliztion is globular just below the mantle and the rest is both
linear and globular
 Fine collagen fiber parallel to DEJ
 The ground substance from odontoblast only
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• Secondary dentin (regular)

 Formed after root completion
 Deposit more slowly than primary
 Has fewer dentinal tubules than primary
 There is a bending of tubule where primary and secondary dentin interfere
 Formed in greater amount on the roof of pulp chamber and protecting the
pulp horn.
 Its formation is not related to severe stimuli
 Increased by mild stimuli (slow attrition)
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• Tertiary dentin
Localized formation of dentin in response to noxious stimuli such as
caries, trauma, or cavity preparation.
Also known as:
reactionary( surviving odontoblasts)
reparative(new cells )
irregular secondary dentin

Types of tertiary
osteodentin (dentin forming cells become included in dentin)
Atubular dentin
Vasodentin
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• Age changes
 Vitality of dentin
The ability of dentin to respond is decrease
The size of pulp decrease by secondary dentin
Secondary dentin
The formation continues throughout life
less regular than primary
Its continuing deposition leads to narrowing of pulp
chamber and root canal in older people
 Sclerotic dentin (transparent)
Occurs as a manifestation of aging or due to mild
stimuli. The odontoblasts undergo fatty degeneration
The dentinal tubule become occluded with calcified
material
The source of Ca is the fluid of dental lymph
The dentin appears glassy
Occur especially in radicular dentin
Transparent (light) in transmitted light
Dark in reflected light
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• Dead tract
• In case of severe stimulation of dentin,
the tubule affected by caries
• Represent empty tubule filled with air ( due
to degeneration of odotoblastic process).
• Can be seen in ground section
• Black in transmitted light and white in
reflected light.
• It may cause production of tertiary dentin
• Each dead tract is surrounded by sclerotic
dentin
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Innervation of dentin
 Numerous nerve endings in predentin and dentin
from the pulp
 Subodontoblastic plexus or plexus of Rashkow
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Theories of pain transmission through

dentin
Direct neural stimulation
It proposed by Scott Stella in 1963
Dentin contains nerve ending in tubules which
respond by external stimuli.
This theory based on the assumption that nerve fibers
extend to DEJ
But the outer surface of dentin ( nerve absent)
Not accepted
Odontoblastic transduction theory
the dental stimulus stimulates the odontoblastic
process which transmits the stimulation to adjacent
nerve plexus
But odontoblasts have not been shown to have
synaptic contact with an axons
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Hydrodynamics theory
 The stimuli applied to dentin cause fluid
movement through the dentinal tubule this
movement depolarise (activation) the nerve
ending in the inner part of tubule, at pulp
predentin junction and in the
subodontoblastic neural plexus.
 Various stimuli such as heat , cold, airblast
affect fluid movement either inward or
outward may stimulate the pain mechanism
in the tubule by disturbance of nerve
 These nerve endings may act as
mechanoreceptors
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Dentinogensis
• Odontoblast differentiation
(Life cycle of odontoblasts)
• Matrix formation
• Mineralization
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Odontoblast differentiation
• In beginning the cells of dental papilla is spindle then after induction
become short columnar
• The differentation of odontoblasts progress (40 µ in height and 7 µ in
width )
• The odontoblast become forming and secreting cell
• Increases in organelles and granular components
Formation of predentin
Odontoblastic processes formation with first dentin deposition. The
cells drawback from the basement membrane and leave behined
odontoblastic processes (Tome’s fibers) that become embeded in matrix
Quiescent state of odontoblasts
After further dentin formation the cells decrease in size but retain their
function after dentin matrix formation is completed
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• Matrix formation (predentin formation)

• Elaboration of un-calcified organic matrix
• Located adjacent to pulp tissue.
• As the predentin undergo mineralization
Two types of dentin are formed
Mantle dentin it is first layer of primary dentin
• The collagen fiber formation begins
• The fiber aligned at right angle to basment membrane in coronal
dentin
• And the fibers are parallel to basment membrane in root dentin
• The ground substance is the product of odontoblast and cell free
zone
• ↑in alkaline phosphatase activity necessary for transport of
calcim into cells
• Circumpulpal dentin the collagen fiber are smaller and present
at right angle to dentinal tubule
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• Mineralization
• Two pattern of mineralization
Gloubular ; deposition of crystals, the globules
enlarge and fuse to each other and form one calcified tissue
In circumpulpal
Linear calcification seen in mantle

Mineralization start after the odontoblasts form a wide band of

predentin, they secret small vesicles called matrix vesicles.
Calcification of matrix is initiated by small crystallites within matrix
vesicles
Matrix vesicles contain alkaline phosphatase and calcium in form of
hydroxyapattite crystal that combine with each other and the crystals
grow rapidly lead to rupture of vesicles
The crystals fuse with adjacent clusters to form a layer of mineralized
matrix
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• Clinical consideration
Exposure of dentinal tubules
Tooth wear , fractures, caries, and cavity cutting procedure
lead to exposure of dentinal tubules.
That lead to passage of bacteria and their products through
dentin.Exposed tubules should be sealed with bonding
agent, varnish or restoration (care should be taken during
tooth preparation)
Pulp protection thermal(bases below restoration) and chemical(cavity
liner and varnishes)
Dental caries tubular nature of dentin ---lead to rapid spread of dental
caries through dentin. Lateral spread alongDEJ lead to undermined
enamel
Infected (soft and contains bacteria) and affected (soft and no
bacteria) dentin
Dentin permeability
Highly permeable –tubular (bacteria of dental caries and
their toxin)
Decrease dentin thickness –increase permeability