title: Odontoblast morphology and dental repair.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the changes in morphology and activity of pulp odontoblasts in response to cavity restoration variables and patient factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Class V non exposed cavities were prepared in the intact 1st or 2nd premolar teeth of 27 patients, aged between 9 and 17 years-old. Following tooth extraction, the area of reactionary dentine and the area of the odontoblasts were measured using computerised histomorphometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cytoplasm to nucleus ratio of the odontoblasts was found to increase beneath cut dentinal tubules, following the secretion of reactionary dentine. However, none of the patient or preparation variables were found to be correlated with changes in the odontoblast cytoplasm to nucleus ratio.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Morphological changes in human odontoblasts is directly related to their capacity to repair dentine injuries and provide pulp protection. Changes in odontoblast morphology reflect secretory activity.
authors.affiliation: Oral Biology, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5186, USA. pemurray@nova.edu
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: About
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lumley
authors.forename: J-C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Franquin
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Windsor
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001641:Bicuspid; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002648:Child; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003723:Dental Amalgam / Q000737:chemistry; D003736:Dental Cavity Lining; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000145:classification*; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000473:pathology; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods; D003804:Dentin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003809:Dentin, Secondary / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008768:Methylmethacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; C031667:IRM cement; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide