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Odontoblasts: the cells forming and maintaining dentine
Victor E Arana-Chavez1, Luciana F Massa
1Laboratory of Mineralized Tissue Biology, Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524 Cidade Universitaria, 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. vearana@usp.br
Summary
Odontoblasts, crucial dental pulp cells, form dentine by secreting matrix and controlling mineralization. These cells also deposit new dentine layers throughout life, aiding tooth repair.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Dental Science
Background:
- Odontoblasts are specialized cells at the dental pulp periphery.
- They originate from neural crest-derived ectomesenchymal cells during craniofacial development.
- Odontoblasts are essential for dentine formation and maintenance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the origin and function of odontoblasts.
- To highlight their role in dentine matrix secretion and mineralization.
- To explain their contribution to reactionary and reparative dentine formation.
Main Methods:
- Review of developmental biology and cell biology literature.
- Analysis of histological and cellular processes in dentinogenesis.
- Examination of odontoblast response to stimuli like caries.
Main Results:
- Odontoblasts secrete collagenous and noncollagenous organic matrix components for dentine.
- They precisely control the mineralization process of dentine.
- Odontoblasts possess a cell process extending into the dentine.
- These cells continuously deposit dentine and form reactionary/reparative dentine.
Conclusions:
- Odontoblasts are vital for forming and maintaining dentine throughout life.
- Their continuous activity contributes to tooth structure and repair mechanisms.
- Understanding odontoblast function is key to dental tissue regeneration and treatment strategies.