Enamel
crack- enamel cracks are actually extensions
of enamel lamellae which are developed
in planes of tensions. But if the disturbance is more severe, a full crack
may develop.
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Cervical
portion- the portion of the tooth crown
closest to the gums.
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Hypocalcification-
this isn seen in the form of chalky white surfaces of the tooth. This is
a common
defect which is the inability of the enamel matrix to mature or even formed.
One very common cause of this is ingestion of excessive water-borne flouride
(in excess of 1.5 parts per million). The ideal flouride concentration
in water is
1 part per million which is optimal for protection against dental caries.
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Dental
caries-
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Dentinal
tubules- they are found throughout normal
dentin. They are only visible though,
through electon microscope. To give you an idea of how minute these tubules
are,
For every 1 square mm. of cavity exposes 30,000 tubules.
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Odontoblastic
processes- these are extensions of odontoblasts,
the dentin forming cell.
Thet are contained inside the dentinal tubules.
The inportance of these processes
is that they give vitality to the dentin, which is important for its capacity
to react
to physiologic and pathologic stimuli. Since dentin is just right above
the pulp,
it is the function of dentin to undergo protective changes for the pulp.
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There
are three Theories of Pain Transmission:
1. Direct
innervation- in which stimuli directly
effect the nrve endings in the tubule.
But the manner in which stimuli reach nerve endings is yet unknown.
2. Hydrodynamic theory-
the most popular theory staes that stimuli causes fluid
movement within the tubules and disturbs the nerve endings, illiciting
pain.
3.Transduction theory-
states that it is the odontoblastic processes that are
excited and the impulses are transmitted towards nerve endings. This is
not
popular because no neurotransmitter can be found in odontoblastic processes.
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The
following receptors are not found in the tooth pulp:
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Root
Canal Treatment-
go through
the pages on Oral Anatomy. Watch for it soon on
The "Molar Truth" is...
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