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This living tissue within the tooth is located in the pulp chambers
and root canals. It is well innervated and vascularised and comprises
connective tissue, nerves, lymph and blood vessels, collagen and
undifferentiated reserve mesenchymal cells (e.g. odontoblasts).
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Odontoblasts line the pulp cavity and branch into the dentine tubules.
These branches, together with the fine nerve endings, cause the
dentine to be sensitive to temperature and pain. The odontoblasts
lay down dentine and reduce the pulp cavity in size as the animal
ages. The pulp is nourished via vessels entering and leaving the
root canal at the apical delta and, occasionally, via accessory
canals.
Potential Dangers
- Physical trauma: may cause bruising, haemorrhage or pulpitis.
- Accidental over-heating from polishing or scaling: may cause
pulp necrosis.
- Pulp exposure after tooth fracture: may cause pulpitis and possibly
pulp necrosis.
- Loss of blood supply following trauma: will cause ischaemic
necrosis.
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