8/9/2019 Dentin - Wikipedia

Dentin
Dentin (/ˈdɛntɪn/) (American English) or dentine (/ˈdɛnˌtiːn/ or
Dentin
/ˌdɛnˈtiːn/) (British English) (Latin: substantia eburnea) is a calcified
tissue of the body and, along with enamel, cementum, and pulp, is one of
the four major components of teeth. It is usually covered by enamel on the
crown and cementum on the root and surrounds the entire pulp. By
volume, 45% of dentin consists of the mineral hydroxylapatite, 33% is
organic material, and 22% is water.[1] Yellow in appearance, it greatly
affects the color of a tooth due to the translucency of enamel. Dentin, which
is less mineralized and less brittle than enamel, is necessary for the support
of enamel.[2] Dentin rates approximately 3 on the Mohs scale of mineral
hardness.[3] There are two main characteristics which distinguish dentin
from enamel: firstly, dentin forms throughout life; secondly, dentin is Parts of a tooth, including dentine
sensitive.[4]
Details
Dentinal sclerosis/transparent dentin-sclerosis of primary dentin is Identifiers
regressive alteration in tooth characterized by calcification of dentinal Latin dentinum
tubules. It can occur as a result of injury to dentin by caries or abrasion, or
MeSH D003804 (https://meshb.nlm.ni
as part of the normal aging process.
h.gov/record/ui?ui=D003804)
TA A05.1.03.055 (http://www.unifr.c
h/ifaa/Public/EntryPage/TA98%
Contents 20Tree/Entity%20TA98%20EN/
Development 05.1.03.055%20Entity%20TA9
Structure 8%20EN.htm)
Regional variations in dentin structure and composition FMA 55628 (https://bioportal.bioontol
Types ogy.org/ontologies/FMA/?p=clas
Primary dentin ses&conceptid=http%3A%2F%
Secondary dentin 2Fpurl.org%2Fsig%2Font%2Ff
Tertiary dentin (including reparative dentin or sclerotic dentin) –
ma%2Ffma55628)
pathologic
Animal dentin
Anatomical terminology

See also
References
External links

Development
The formation of dentin, known as dentinogenesis, begins prior to the formation of enamel and is initiated by the
odontoblasts of the pulp. Dentin is derived from the dental papilla of the tooth germ.[5] After apposition of predentin and
maturation into dentin, the cell bodies of the odontoblasts remain in the pulp inside the tooth, along its outer wall. Unlike
enamel, dentin continues to form throughout life and can be initiated in response to stimuli, such as tooth decay or
attrition.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentin 1/5
8/9/2019 Dentin - Wikipedia

Structure
Unlike enamel, dentine may be demineralized and stained for histological
study. Dentine consists of microscopic channels, called dentinal tubules, which
radiate outward through the dentine from the pulp to the exterior cementum
or enamel border.[6] The dentinal tubules extend from the dentinoenamel
junction (DEJ) in the crown area, or dentinocemental junction (DCJ) in the
root area, to the outer wall of the pulp.[5] From the outer surface of the dentine
to the area nearest the pulp, these tubules follow an S-shaped path. The
diameter and density of the tubules are greatest near the pulp.[7] Tapering
from the inner to the outermost surface, they have a diameter of 2.5 μm near
the pulp, 1.2 μm in the middle of the dentin, and 0.9 μm at the dentino-enamel
Dentinal-sclerosis
junction. Their density is 59,000 to 76,000 per square millimeter near the
pulp, whereas the density is only half as much near the enamel. Within the
tubules, there is an odontoblast process, which is an extension of an odontoblast, and dentinal fluid, which contains a
mixture of albumin, transferrin, tenascin and proteoglycans.[8] In addition, there are branching canalicular systems that
connect to each other. These branches have been categorized by size, with major being 500-1000 nm in diameter, fine
being 300-700 nm, and micro being less than 300 nm.[9] The major branches are the terminal ends of the tubules. About
every 1-2 μm, there are fine branches diverging from dentinal tubules at 45 degree angles. The microtubules diverge at 90
degree angles. The dentinal tubules contain the cytoplasmic extensions of odontoblasts that once formed the dentin and
maintain it. The cell bodies of the odontoblasts are aligned along the inner aspect of dentin against a layer of predentin
where they also form the peripheral boundary of the dental pulp.[10] Because of dentinal tubules, dentin has a degree of
permeability, which can increase the sensation of pain and the rate of tooth decay. The strongest held theory of dentinal
hypersensitivity suggests that it is due to changes in the dentinal fluid associated with the processes, a type of
hydrodynamic mechanism.[5][11]

Dentin is a bone-like matrix that is porous and yellow-hued material. It is made up, by weight, of 72% inorganic materials
(mainly hydroxylapatite and some non-crystalline amorphous calcium phosphate), 20% organic materials (90% of which
is collagen type 1 and the remaining 10% ground substance, which includes dentine-specific proteins), and 8% water
(which is adsorbed on the surface of the minerals or between the crystals)[12]. Because it is softer than enamel, it decays
more rapidly and is subject to severe cavities if not properly treated, but due to its elastic properties, it is good support for
enamel. Its flexibility prevents the brittle enamel fracturing.

In areas where both primary and secondary mineralization have occurred with complete crystalline fusion, these appear as
lighter rounded areas on a stained section of dentin and are considered globular dentin. In contrast, the darker arc-like
areas in a stained section of dentin are considered interglobular dentin. In these areas, only primary mineralization has
occurred within the predentin, and the globules of dentin do not fuse completely. Thus, interglobular dentin is slightly less
mineralized than globular dentin. Interglobular dentin is especially evident in coronal dentin, near the dentinoenamel
junction (DEJ), and in certain dental anomalies, such as in dentinogenesis imperfecta.[5]

Regional variations in dentin structure and composition

The different regions in dentin can be recognized due to their structural differences. The outermost layer, known as the
mantle dentin layer, is found in the crown of the tooth, and can be identified by the presence of various characteristics:
collagen fibres here are found perpendicular to the enamel-dentin junction; it is slightly less mineralized (by
approximately 5%); it undergoes mineralization in the presence of matrix vesicles; and the dentinal tubules in this region
branch profusely.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentin 2/5
8/9/2019 Dentin - Wikipedia

In the root of the tooth there are two morphologically distinguishable outer layers: the hyaline layer on the periphery of
dentin and the granular layer of Tomes beneath this. The granular layer has a dark, granular appearance which occurs due
to the branching and looping back of dentinal tubules in this region. This appearance, specific to root dentin, is possibly
due to differences in the rates of formation of coronal and root dentin. The hyaline layer, which has an obscure origin, is a
clear layer, unlike the granular layer, with a width of up to 20μm. It can have clinical significance during periodontal
regeneration.

Circumpulpal dentin forms the majority of the dentin and is generally constant in structure. Peripherally, mineralization
can be seen to be incomplete, whereas centrally the mineralizing front shows ongoing mineralizing.

The innermost layer of dentin is known as predentin, and is the initial dentin matrix that is laid down prior to
mineralization. It can be distinguished by its pale color when stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The presence of
odontoblastic processes here allows the secretion of matrix components. Predentin can be 10-40μm in width, depending
on its rate of deposition.[13]

Types
There are three types of dentin, primary, secondary and tertiary.[14][15] Secondary dentin is a layer of dentin produced
after the root of the tooth is completely formed. Tertiary dentin is created in response to a stimulus, such as a carious
attack or wear.[16]

Primary dentin
Primary dentin, the most prominent dentin in the tooth, lies between the enamel and the pulp chamber (near
dentinoenamel junction). The outer layer closest to enamel is known as mantle dentin. This layer is unique to the rest of
primary dentin. Mantle dentin is formed by newly differentiated odontoblasts and forms a layer consistently 15-20
micrometers (µm) wide. Unlike primary dentin, mantle dentin lacks phosphorylation, has loosely packed collagen fibrils
and is less mineralized. Below it lies the circumpulpal dentin, more mineralized dentin which makes up most of the dentin
layer and is secreted after the mantle dentin by the odontoblasts. Circumpulpal dentin is formed before the root formation
is completed.

Newly secreted dentin is unmineralized and is called predentin. It is easily identified in hematoxylin and eosin stained
sections since it stains less intensely than dentin. It is usually 10-47μm and lines the innermost region of the dentin. It is
unmineralized and consists of collagen, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans. It is similar to osteoid in bone and is thickest
when dentinogenesis is occurring.[1]

Secondary dentin
Secondary dentin (adventitious dentin) is formed after root formation is complete, normally after the tooth has erupted
and is functional. It grows much more slowly than primary dentin but maintains its incremental aspect of growth. It has a
similar structure to primary dentin, although its deposition is not always even around the pulp chamber. It is the growth
of this dentin that causes a decrease in the size of the pulp chamber with age. This is clinically known as pulp recession;
cavity preparation in young patients, therefore, carries a greater risk of exposing the pulp. If this occurs, the pulp can be
treated by different therapies such as direct pulp capping. Pulp capping is most successful if followed by a stainless steel
crown. In order to maintain space in the primary dentition, attempts are made not to extract a pulpal exposure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentin 3/5
8/9/2019 Dentin - Wikipedia

Tertiary dentin (including reparative dentin or sclerotic dentin) – pathologic

Tertiary dentin is dentin formed as a reaction to external stimulation such as cavities and wear.[17] It is of two types, either
reactionary, where dentin is formed from a pre-existing odontoblast, or reparative, where newly differentiated
odontoblast-like cells are formed due to the death of the original odontoblasts, from a pulpal progenitor cell. Tertiary
dentin is only formed by an odontoblast directly affected by a stimulus; therefore, the architecture and structure depend
on the intensity and duration of the stimulus, e.g., if the stimulus is a carious lesion, there is extensive destruction of
dentin and damage to the pulp, due to the differentiation of bacterial metabolites and toxins. Thus, tertiary dentin is
deposited rapidly, with a sparse and irregular tubular pattern and some cellular inclusions; in this case, it is referred to as
"osteodentin". Osteodentin is seen in Vit.A deficiency during development. However, if the stimulus is less active, it is laid
down less rapidly with a more regular tubular pattern and hardly any cellular inclusions.[18] The speed at which tertiary
dentin forms also varies substantially among primate species.[17]

Animal dentin
Elephant ivory is solid dentin. The structure of the dentinal tubules contributes to both its porosity and its elasticity.
Elephant tusks are formed with a thin cap of enamel, which soon wears away, leaving the dentin exposed. Exposed dentin
in humans causes the symptom of sensitive teeth.

Because dentin is softer than enamel, it wears away more quickly than enamel. Some mammalian teeth exploit this
phenomenon, especially herbivores such as horses, deer or elephants. In many herbivores, the occlusal (biting) surface of
the tooth is composed of alternating areas of dentin and enamel. Differential wearing causes sharp ridges of enamel to be
formed on the surface of the tooth (typically a molar), and to remain during the working life of the tooth. Herbivores grind
their molars together as they chew (masticate), and the ridges help to shred tough plant material.

A material similar to dentin forms the hard material that makes up dermal denticles in sharks and other cartilaginous fish.

See also
Dentinogenesis
Dentinogenesis imperfecta
Odontoblast
Tooth development

References
1. Ten Cate's Oral Histology, Nanci, Elsevier, 2013, page 194
2. Johnson, Clarke. "Biology of the Human Dentition (http://www.uic.edu/classes/orla/orla312/BHDTwo.html) Archived (h
ttps://web.archive.org/web/20151030052831/http://www.uic.edu/classes/orla/orla312/BHDTwo.html) 2015-10-30 at
the Wayback Machine." Page accessed July 18, 2007.
3. Marshall GW Jr, Marshall SJ, Kinney JH, Balooch M.J. The dentin substrate: structure and properties related to
bonding J Dent. 1997 Nov;25(6):441-58.
4. Berkovits BKB, Holland GR, Moxham BJ. (2002). Oral Anatomy, Histology and Embryology. Mosby. 3rd edn. pp. 125.
ISBN 0723431817.
5. Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy, Bath-Balogh and Fehrenbach, Elsevier, 2011, page 156.
6. Ross, Michael H., Gordon I. Kaye, and Wojciech Pawlina, 2003. Histology: a text and atlas. 4th edition. Page 450.
ISBN 0-683-30242-6.
7. Cate, A.R. Ten. Oral Histology: development, structure, and function. 5th ed. 1998. Page 152. ISBN 0-8151-2952-1.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentin 4/5
8/9/2019 Dentin - Wikipedia

8. Palosaari, Heidi. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their specific tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in mature human
odontoblasts and pulp tissue (http://herkules.oulu.fi/isbn9514270789/html/x280.html). Institute of Dentistry, University
of Oulu. Page accessed July 18, 2007.
9. Cate, A.R. Ten. Oral Histology: development, structure, and function. 5th ed. 1998. Page 155. ISBN 0-8151-2952-1.
10. Marshall GW Jr. Dentin: microstructure and characterization. Quintessence Int. 1993 Sep;24(9):606-17.
11. Addy M. Dentine Hypersensitivity. New perspectives on an old problem. Int Dent J (2002) 52; 367-375.
12. Hillson, S. Teeth. 2nd ed. 2005. Page 184. ISBN 978-0-521-54549-5.
13. Berkovits BKB, Holland GR, Moxham BJ. (2002). Oral Anatomy, Histology and Embryology. Mosby. 3rd edn. pp. 134-
137. ISBN 0723431817.
14. U. Zilberman, P. Smith. Sex- and Age-related Differences in Primary and Secondary Dentin Formation Advances in
Dental Research, Vol 15, Issue 1, pp.42-45, August 2001. Retrieved from iadrjournals.org (http://adr.iadrjournals.org/c
gi/reprint/15/1/42.pdf)
15. Donna J. Phinney, Judy Helen Halstead Delmar's Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach, p.97, Thomson
Delmar Learning, ISBN 0-7668-0731-2
16. "(PDF) Tertiary Dentine Frequencies in Extant Great Apes and Fossil Hominins" (https://www.researchgate.net/public
ation/331906742_Tertiary_Dentine_Frequencies_in_Extant_Great_Apes_and_Fossil_Hominins). ResearchGate.
Retrieved 2019-03-28.
17. "(PDF) Tertiary dentine frequencies in extant great apes and fossil hominins" (https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio
n/327025558_Tertiary_dentine_frequencies_in_extant_great_apes_and_fossil_hominins). ResearchGate. Retrieved
2019-01-09.
18. J.H. Kinney, R.K. Nallab, J.A. Pople, T.M. Breunig, R.O. Ritchie, Age-related transparent root dentin: mineral
concentration, crystallite size, and mechanical properties, Biomaterials. (2005) 3363–3376 at
http://www.lbl.gov/ritchie/Library/PDF/Biomaterials(transparent-dentin).pdf

External links
Cells and Extracellular Matrices of Dentin and Pulp: A Biological Basis For Repair and Tissue Engineering, M.
Goldberg and A.J. Smith (http://cro.sagepub.com/content/15/1/13.full)
Sanjay Miglani, Vivek Aggarwal, and Bhoomika Ahuja, Dentin hypersensitivity: Recent trends in management, J
Conserv Dent. 2010 Oct-Dec (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010026/)

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dentin&oldid=903600374"

This page was last edited on 26 June 2019, at 17:17 (UTC).

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this
site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia
Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentin 5/5