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The neurophysiology of the teeth
1Department of Physiology, University of Kuopio, Finland.
Dental Clinics of North America
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Different nerve fibers in human teeth transmit distinct pain signals. Myelinated A-fibers cause sharp pain from stimuli like drilling, while unmyelinated C-fibers transmit dull pain from heat, especially in inflamed pulps.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Dental Research
- Pain Perception
Background:
- Human teeth exhibit diverse pain qualities in response to various stimuli.
- Dental pulp contains myelinated (A-fibers) and unmyelinated (C-fibers) nerve axons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the roles of A- and C-fibers in mediating different types of dental pain.
- To correlate specific stimuli with the activation of distinct intradental nerve fiber types.
Main Methods:
- Stimulation of human teeth using mechanical (drilling, air drying) and thermal (heating) methods.
- Analysis of the relationship between stimulus type, intensity, and reported pain sensation quality.
Main Results:
- A-fibers respond to stimuli like dentin drilling and air drying, inducing sharp pain.
- C-fibers are activated by stimuli reaching the pulp proper, such as intense heat, causing dull pain.
- Dull pain in human teeth correlates with heat thresholds of intradental C-fibers.
Conclusions:
- Activation of A- and C-type intradental nerve fibers contributes to the varied pain sensations experienced from tooth stimulation.
- C-fibers may play a role in mediating dull pain associated with pulpal inflammation.