Dr.M.

Adel 2020

Dentinogenesis & Dentin Structures

Dentin is the mineralized tissue that forms the bulk of the tooth (about 3-10mm thick or
more). In the crown it is covered by enamel and in the root by cementum.
Two major properties distinguish dentin from enamel: First, dentin is sensitive.
Second, dentin is formed throughout life increasing thickness at the expense of the dental
pulp volume. This is reflected by the presence of an unmineralized layer of dentin matrix at
the pulpal surface known as predentin.
Physical properties:
Dentin is light yellowish in color (becomes darker with age) and has a visco-elastic
quality that provides flexibility to prevent fracture of the overlying brittle enamel.
It is hard, but slightly harder than bone or cementum and is less hard than enamel. This
difference can be distinguished readily on radiographs, where dentin appears more
radiolucent (darker) than enamel and more radio-opaque (lighter) than cementum.
Chemical Composition:
A) Inorganic materials:
They are 70-75% inorganic material in the form of calcium hydroxyappatite crystals.
The crystals are plate like-shape.
B) Organic matrix:
30-25% organic material. The organic matrix consists of fibrils embedded in an
amorphous ground substance. The fibrils are collagen and comprise over 90% of the organic
matrix. The principle collagen fibril is type I collagen, inclusions of insoluble proteins,
glycoproteins and lipids.
Mature dentin could be seen either in ground or decalcified sections as it is composed

I-Formation of dentin matrix:

1- Formation of Mantle dentin:
After the odontoblasts differentiation, the next step is its secretion of the organic matrix
which is formed of large fibers of type I collagen and associated ground substance.
-This ground substance is incorporated with some pre-existing ground substance of the
cell free zone to form what is called ''Mantle dentin''
-Varying in width from 20-150 Um.
-The large collagen fibrils (0.1-0.2 mm in diameter) aggregate in the cell free zone.

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-These fibrils are aligned at right angles to the basal lamina (Fig. 6-5), while in the
mantle dentin of the root they are parallel to it.
2- Formation of Circumpulpal dentin:
Once the layer of mantle dentin has formed, dentinogenesis continues in a slightly
different manner to form circumpulpal dentin which is the basic structure of dentin and
forms its bulk. It is formed in a similar way to mantle dentin except that:
- The collagen fibers are smaller in diameter (0.05Um) and are more closely packed and
interwoven with each other.
- The fibers are generally present at right or oblique angles to the tubules (parallel to
dentin surface).
- The ground substances are exclusively a product of odontoblasts.

II-Mineralization of dentin:
Dentin mineralization is a complex and controversial subject. Formation and
calcification of dentin begins at the tips of cusps or incisal ridges and proceed inward in a
rhythmic apposition of conical layers one within the others.
Once the first crystal forms within such vesicle, it grows rapidly and ruptures through
the vesicle wall to spread as a cluster of crystallites and fuse with adjacent clusters to form
the fully mineralized matrix (the presence of matrix vesicles is limited to mantle dentin).

The dentin mineralization follows three different patterns:

1- Linear calcification indicates the deposition of crystals along an uninterrupted front
and is the principal pattern of mineralization found in mantle dentin.

2- Globular calcification (calcospherite) where deposition of crystals in several areas of

the matrix at one time, with continued calcification globular masses develops, which
enlarge and fuse to form a single calcified mass. Usually this type is present in
circumpulpal dentin formed just below mantle dentin.

3- In the rest of the circumpulpal dentin, a combined pattern of calcification occurs with
a globular phase alternating with a linear phase.

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Mantle dentin Circumpulpal dentin

 Thickness: 10-20 um • Thickness: bulk of the tooth
 Diameter of collagen fibers: large • Diameter of collagen fibers:
(0.1-0.2 um) small (0.05um)
 Direction of collagen fibers : have • Direction of collagen fibers : have
right angle to DEJ and parallel to right or oblique angle to dentinal
cemento dentinal j. tubules (parallel to dentin surface)
 Ground substance: from • Ground substance: from
odontoblasts and the cell free zone odontoblasts
 Mineralization: linear form • Mineralization: Globular below
(contains matrix vesicles MV). mantle dentin then become mixed
in the remaining circumpulpal
dentin (no MV).

Dentin structure

1- Dentinal tubules:
Dentin is permeated by tubules which are its structural unit.
*Course: The dentinal tubules follow an S-shaped course "primary curvature"
which results from the path followed by odontoblasts as they move toward the center of the
pulp.
The tubules also show changes in direction of much smaller amplitude; these are known as
the "secondary curvatures" (Fig. 6-9). These are the result of the spiral track taken by the
odontoblast during its course from the outer dentin surface to the pulp.

Fig. (6-9): Secondary curves.

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Each odontoblastic process gives off fine side branches along its course which are
contained in lateral extensions of the dentinal tubule "Lateral branches" or canaliculi
Many small side branches appear to end blindly, the odontoblastic processes and the
dentinal tubules usually terminate by dividing into main branches "Terminal branches"
which unit with those of the neighboring processes to form a plexus beneath the outer dentin
surface near the dentino-enamel junction.
In some places of the crown, the peripheral ends of some odontoblastic processes cross
the dentino-enamel junction and protrude into the enamel, where they appear as short
slightly thickened objects "Enamel spindles".
In the root, the terminal tubule branches and the branches loop. This looping is thought to be
responsible for the appearance of the granular layer of Tomes' seen in ground sections.
Content of dentinal tubules:
The dentinal tubules contain the odontoblastic processes, afferent nerve terminals and
extracellular "dentinal fluid" or "dental lymph" in the periodontoblastic process space.
The precise composition of which is unknown.
*Number:(ratio between number of tubules/unit area on the pulpal and outer
surface is 4:1).

.
2- Intertubular dentin:
Dentin located between the dentinal tubules is called "intertubular dentin" which
represents the primary secretory product of the odontoblasts. (Fig. 6-12). It forms the main
bulk of dentin.
3- Peritubular dentin:
With maturation, another type of highly calcified dentin matrix is deposited on the
internal surface of the walls of the dentinal tubules narrowing the size of the lumen and

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known as "Peritubular dentin" or "intratubular dentin" which contains little amount of

collagen. It is about 40% more mineralized than intertubular dentin
Ground section passing transversally through the dentinal tubule shows that the peritubular
dentin will be readily seen as translucent rings. It was previously thought that the sharp
boundary of this ring was due to special structure known as the "Neumann sheath
4- Inter-globular dentin:
It is the term used to describe areas of unmineralized or hypomineralized dentin where
globular zones of mineralization (calcospherites) have failed to fuse in a homogenous mass
within mature dentin It is seen most frequently in the circumpulpal dentin just below the
mantle dentin, where the pattern of mineralization is largely globular.
Because this irregularity of dentin is a defect of mineralization and not of matrix
formation, the normal architectural pattern of the tubules remains unchanged, and they run
uninterrupted through the interglobular areas. However, no Peritubular dentin exists where
the tubules pass through the unmineralized areas. It is usually confined to the crown and not
far from the dentino-enamel junction, but in poorly developed teeth they are found in any
part of the dentin. In dry ground sections, these areas are filled with air and appear black
under light microscope and then termed "Inter-globular dentin space".
5- Tomes' granular layer:
It is a constant feature of the root dentin immediately adjacent to cementum. It appears
granular and best seen in ground section as black granules. They do not follow any
incremental pattern and usually smaller than interglobular dentin. The dentinal tubules do
not cross through them. These spaces have been suggested to represent sections made
through the looped terminal portions of dentinal tubules, found only in root dentin.
Interglobular dentin • • Tomes’ granular layer

• (Size) Large • (Size) Small granular in

• (Cause) Areas of unmineralized or appearance
hypomineralized dentin (sometimes • (Cause) it results from looping of
present). the terminal portions of DT
• (Site) Appear in the crown just (always present) .
below mantle dentin. • (Site) Appear in the root adjacent
• (D T) Dentinal tubules cross the to the cementum.
• (DT) Dentinal tubules do not cross
IGD without the peritubular dentin
this layer
• (IL) Follow incremental line
• (IL) Does not follow any
pattern
incremental pattern.
• In badly formed tooth it appears in
the root dentin

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Incremental lines:
a- Incremental lines of Von-Ebner:
The organic matrix of dentin is deposited incrementally at a daily rate of approximately
4-8 microns in crown & much less in root. These incremental lines run at right angles to
the dentinal tubules and generally mark the normal rhythmic linear pattern of dentin
deposition.
b- Contour line of Owen:
As originally described by Owen, the contour line is one of the incremental lines of
Von Ebner that has been accentuated. These are easily recognized in longitudinal ground
sections

c- Neonatal line:
An exceptionally wide line created by the abrupt change in the environmental and
nutritional conditions of the child at birth and reflects the disturbance in mineralization. It
could be seen in all deciduous teeth as well as in the first permanent molar.
Dentin junctions:
a-Dentino-enamel junction:
The dentin–enamel junction (DEJ) is a critical interface that joins hard, brittle enamel
with tough dentin. DEJ has been described as having a scalloped topography, with
concavities directed toward the enamel and convexities directed toward the dentin.
b- Dentino-cemental junction:
It is a smooth line, very difficult to be seen. It is masked by the Tomes' granular layer.

Age changes of dentin:

1) Regular secondary dentin:
Secondary dentin develops after root formation has been completed and represents the
continuing, but much slower, deposition of dentin by odontoblasts.
It has tubular structure that, though less regular, is continuous with that of the primary
dentin (dentin which is formed to produce the typical form of the root). Between the
primary and secondary dentin there is often a darkly staining line, the tubule often change
their direction and continue in a wavier course through the secondary dentin.
The number of the dentinal tubules per unit area is fewer, this is due to continuous
apposition of dentin, and as the surface of the pulpal wall gradually diminished, the
odontoblasts become more and more crowded. When the crowding reached the maximum,
many of these cells degenerate and the remaining cells rearrange themselves on the wall of
the pulp.The formation of this type of dentin is increased by the mild stimuli reaching the

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pulp as a result of slow attrition, also it is found under slowly progressing caries and the
early stages of cervical cavities.
The continued formation of regular secondary dentin gradually diminishes the size of
the pulp cavity and soon obliterates the extremities of the pulpal horns,
2) Irregular secondary dentin (Reparative or Tertiary dentin):
It is produced in reaction to various stimuli such as: attrition, abrasion, caries or a
restorative dental procedure. Unlike primary or secondary dentin that forms along the entire
pulp-dentin border, it is produced only by those cells directly affected by the stimulus It
may have tubules continuous with those of secondary dentin (which are sparse in number
and irregularly arranged) or no tubules at all "Atubular Dentin". The dentin forming cells
line its surface or become included in the in the rapidly forming dentin matrix
"Osteodentin, later on these cells degenerate and vacate the spaces that formerly they
occupied.If blood vessels are included in the rapidly forming matrix,Vasodentin is formed
3) Transparent (Translucent, Sclerotic) dentin:
Sclerotic dentin is a regressive alteration in the tooth hard substance (that occurs in
primary dentin) which is characterized by calcification of dentinal tubules, where the
odontoblastic processes undergo fatty degeneration and then calcification. Transparent
dentin occurs as a manifestation of the normal aging process as well as a result of injury to
the dentin by slow caries or abrasion (mild stimuli). As the dentinal tubules are occluded by
widening of the Peritubular zones and the processes of odontoblasts become progressively
reduced in diameter, so the dentin comes to have a more uniform refractive index. As a
result, these areas appear translucent when viewed by transmitted light
4) Dead tracts:
In cases of severe stimulation to the dentin, the odontoblastic processes in the affected
area are completely destroyed or damaged. In dried ground sections, these empty dentinal
tubules are filled with air and appear black in transmitted light, This optical phenomenon is
due to differences in the refractive indices of the affected tubules and normal tubules.
Dentin areas characterized by degenerated odontoblastic processes have been called "dead
tracts". The affection of these dentinal tubules caused the production of reparative dentin,
which seals these tubules at their pulpal end.
Each dead tract is surrounded by, and isolated from the rest of the dentin, by a narrow
zone of sclerotic dentin.
It should be noted that in dried ground sections of normal dentin, the odontoblastic
processes shrivel up leaving empty tubules which may be filled with air; these tubules give
an appearance similar to that of a dead tract.

Therefore the changes of the dentin under different stimuli are:

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1-Regular secondary dentin

(Occurs by aging as well as under mild stimulus)
2-Reparative or tertiary dentin (Irregular Secondary Dentin)
(This is a newly formed dentin under sever stimulus)
3- Transparent dentin (Sclerotic Dentin)
(This is a change in the primary dentin under mild stimulus)
4- Dead tract
(This is a change in the primary dentin under sever stimulus)

Dentin sensitivity:
The nerve fibers enter the pulp and divide into many branches till reaching the cell free
zone where they lose their myelin sheath and form a plexus of nerves called
"subodontoblastic plexus" or "plexus of Raschkow" ,Some nerve fibers lose their
schwann cell coating pass between the odontoblast cell bodies and enter the dentinal tubules
Among the numerous stimuli that can evoke a painful response when applied to dentin are
many that are related to clinical dental practice, such as cold air or water, mechanical
contact by a probe or bur, and dehydration with cotton wool or a stream of air
1- Direct neural stimulation:
Dentin contains nerve endings, which respond when dentin is stimulated. Arguments
against this view relate to the fact that they appear to be absent in the outer parts of dentin.
2- Odontoblastic transduction theory:
This theory contends that a dental stimulus excites either the odontoblastic process
which then transmits the excitation to the adjacent nerve plexus. The point was once argued
that because the odontoblast is of neural crest origin, it retains ability to transduce and
propagates an impulse.
3- Fluid or hydrodynamic theory:
The hydrodynamic mechanism involves fluid movement through the dentinal tubules.
This theory proposes that fluid movement through the tubules distorts the local pulpal
environment and is sensed by the free nerve endings in the plexus of Raschkow. Thus when
dentin is first exposed, small belbs of fluid can be seen on the cavity floor. When the cavity
is dried, with air or cotton wool, a greater loss of fluid is induced, leading to more
movement and more pain. The increased sensitivity at the dentino-enamel junction is
explained by the profuse branching of tubules in this region