Quantity and diameter of dentinal tubules of human teeth and teeth of experimental animals according to scanning electron microscopy data

Abstract

Insight into the interrelation between the structure and mechanical properties of dentin of a tooth is crucial for prevention and treatment of oral cavity diseases. The study of the structure of dental dentin is important for understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms of the spread of cariogenic microflora in progressive dental caries to the pulp and periodontium, as well as for the interpretation of the results of studies of dental dentin-adhesive materials. The in vitro research presented here involved the examination of coronal dentin in 46 intact teeth from rats, cats, dogs, and humans at various distances from the pulp chamber, with a focus on the quantity and diameter of dentinal tubules. The calculations were based on the analysis of 155 scanning electron microscope photographs of the enamel surface and pulp chamber wall. The researchers calculated the quantity and diameter of dentinal tubules per unit area, which they measured at various distances from the pulp chamber. It was found that dentinal tubules are the widest near the pulp chamber wall, where the average diameter ranged from 1.7 to 2.8 µm. The highest values were found in premolars of young humans and the lowest - in the incisors of rats. In the middle portion of the dentin, the diameter of dentinal tubules ranged from 1.0 to 13.3 µm, while at the periphery, it was 0.6–0.9 µm. The highest density of dentinal tubules per unit area was found closest to the pulp horn, and the lowest was in the enamel region. Near the pulp chamber wall, the average density of dentinal tubules ranged from 50 000 to 90 000/mm², in the middle of the dentin, it ranged from 37 000 to 50 000/mm², and at the periphery, it ranged from 10 000 to 25 000/mm². All examined teeth exhibited straight dentinal tubules, except for the rats’ incisors, which showed local irregularities. A comparison was made based on the quantity and width of dentinal tubules in the examined animals and humans.