Morphometric analysis of pulpal myelinated nerve fibers in human teeth with periodontal disease and root sensitivity

Abstract

Despite of high prevalence of root sensitivity (RS) reported in patients with periodontal pathology, the reasons why this painful condition occur only in some teeth with chronic periodontitis is still unknown. It is possible that the experience of RS may be related to changes of myelinated nerve fibers (MNF), which are responsible for dentine sensitivity and can actively respond to injury resulting profound morphological changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate morphometrically the parameters of MNF in human teeth with RS and without RS in present of chronic periodontitis. A total of 25 cross-sectionated dental pulp specimens were collected from noncarious, intact, sensory responded teeth (10 with RS and 15 without RS history) extracted from adolescents with chronic periodontitis for orthodontic, prosthetic reasons or because of teeth looseness. The morphometric parameters such as diameter and density of MNF were estimated using light microscopy and computer analyzing program Image-Pro Plus. The results showed that the mean MNF density per mm² of pulp (mean±SD, 182,35±49,65) and the mean diameter of MNF (3,43±1,11) in teeth without RS was statistically lower than in teeth with RS, respectively 878,22±117,06 and 4,63±1,63. The MNF diameter values distributed unequally. Very small MNF (#1,0 :m) were seen only in teeth without RS [...].