Scanning Electron Microscopic Study on the Fibrillar Structures within Dentinal Tubules of Human Dentin

Pulp biology is central to the whole tooth, and knowledge on its microstructure is changing with new studies. This study presents certain microfibrillar structures found within the dentin tubules of human teeth connecting dentin tubules and odontoblastic processes.

We analyzed the crowns of 30 noncarious, human teeth. They were fixed; demineralized; and, later, processed and reviewed by means of scanning electron microscopy.

In the predentin layer, we found numerous fine fibrillar structures connecting the odontoblastic process and the wall of the dentinal tubule. In the inner dentinal third, we observed structures forming a dense microfibrillar network of variable thickness and diameters. These microstructures were very thin and numerous in this area, and their number decreased as more external dentin levels were examined.

According to the review of the literature and our findings, these microfibrillar structures may be an unrecognized support system that holds and secures the odontoblastic process within the dentinal tubule.