Dentinal tubules

Dentinal Tubules are small canals that run from the outer surface of the tooth to the nerve in the center. They are part of the dentin – the hard, yellow substance beneath the tooth's enamel (the outer, white part of the tooth). Dentinal tubules contain fluid and are responsible for the sensation of pain in the tooth.

Structure

Dentinal tubules are long, thin tubes that extend from the pulp (the innermost part of the tooth) to the dentinoenamel junction (the boundary between the dentin and the enamel). They are filled with a fluid that is primarily water, but also contains organic substances. The tubules are lined with odontoblasts, which are cells that produce dentin.

Function

The primary function of dentinal tubules is to provide a pathway for nutrients to reach the odontoblasts from the pulp. They also play a role in tooth sensitivity. When the fluid inside the tubules is disturbed – for example, by heat, cold, or pressure – it can trigger a pain response.

Clinical significance

Dentinal tubules can become exposed when the enamel or cementum (the hard tissue that covers the root of the tooth) is worn away. This can lead to tooth sensitivity, as the tubules allow heat, cold, acidic or sticky substances to reach the nerves and cells inside the tooth, causing pain. Treatments for tooth sensitivity often aim to block the tubules, preventing stimuli from reaching the nerve.

See also

• Dentin
• Tooth sensitivity
• Odontoblasts

References

Dentinal tubules Resources
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