Neuro-odontoblast Relationships

Dentine, the hard tissue portion of the pulp–dentine complex, forms the bulk of the tooth. Structurally it consists of multiple closely packed dentinal tubules, which traverse the entire thickness. These tubules contain cytoplasmatic extensions of the odontoblasts as well as some fine neuritis, which extend only into the pulpal part of the dentine1. The cell bodies of the odontoblasts form the boundary between the inner aspect of the dentine and the periphery of the dental pulp. The function of odontoblasts is not limited to dentinogenesis, but includes maintenance of dentine, and their role in reparative dentine formation is also important2. The interaction between the odontoblasts and the neurites, which are wrapped around the cell bodies of the odontoblasts and enter the dentinal tubules, might be responsible for dentine sensitivity. Numerous papers have been published on morphological, physiological and pharmacological characteristics of the nerve fibres in the dental pulp. Some of these suggested a possible recep-