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Molecular characterisation of odontoblast during primary, secondary ...

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1.2.3 Dentinal tubules - a means <strong>of</strong> communication.<br />

1.2.3.1 The tubular structure<br />

Introduction<br />

The tubular density <strong>of</strong> dentine is high (~30,000/mm² on average), and these tubules<br />

are approximately 1 to 3 micrometers in diameter on average in humans depending<br />

on the intratubular dentine thickness; their distribution is unequal throughout the<br />

dentine and their density increases near the pulp cavity reflecting the crowding <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>odontoblast</strong>s as they move pulpally <strong>during</strong> dentinogenesis (Figure 4).<br />

Figure 4 : The density <strong>of</strong> the dentinal tubules varies according to the depth <strong>of</strong> the dentine and<br />

the proximity to the pulp. Surface area occupied by tubules is 2/3% near the Enamel, but 20-<br />

25% near the pulp. (Pashley 1996) (according to (Olgart and Bergenholtz 2003) – D=Dentine,<br />

P=Pulp, B=Bone. Bar=500µm<br />

The tubules course in a sinusoidal manner in the crown rather than a rectilinear way,<br />

due to a change in the radius <strong>of</strong> curvature from the outer to the inner aspect <strong>of</strong> the<br />

dentine and each has numerous lateral extensions, which provide a means <strong>of</strong><br />

communication between them. Thus, much <strong>of</strong> the area <strong>of</strong> the dentine matrix is in<br />

direct communication with the <strong>odontoblast</strong>s on its formative surface through their<br />

processes contained within the tubules. This has significant clinical implications in<br />

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