DENTIN-PULP COMPLEX IN DEEP CARIES

Abstract

Deep caries progress highlights the gradual shift from reactionary to reparative tertiary dentine as main feature illustrated by transition between the secondary and tertiary dentin. Three sorts of odontoblasts are described to exhibit their dentinogenic potential in genesis of reparative dentine, the still active primary odontoblasts, the formerly quiescent odontoblasts recently reactivated by molecular signals sent from carious lesion, and the secondary odontoblasts resulting from pulp stem cells. This complex cellular secretor involvement in dentinogenesis presume a range of resulting matrices that explain the miscellaneous mineralized final structures encountered in natural evolution of deep caries and especially as therapeutic outcome in pulp capping. Depending on intensity of cariogenic stimuli the effect may be either reactionary dentin relying on a mild action or reparative dentin, mirroring a strong microbial action. The histological response of dentin-pulp complex comprises any exclusive reactionary or reparative tertiary dentin feature as both conditions usually may cohabitate as mishmash in the same pulp.