The ultrastructure of intradental nerves in developing mouse molars This project was supported by USPHS Research grant DE 01604 from the National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to study the nerves in mouse molar teeth during their development to observe their distribution and their relationship to the odontoblast and its process. The specimens were first assessed by light microscopy using silver staining techniques. It was found that by nine days after birth, major nerves appeared in the pulp organ and extended to the basal region of the odontoblasts. At 15 days, a subodontoblastic neural plexus had developed, and by 25 days, isolated nerves penetrated into the predentin of the pulpal horns. From 25–70 days, a highly organized subodontoblastic plexus was apparent with branches extending into the odontoblastic layer, predentin and inner dentin. Ultrastructural study revealed small, nonmyelinated nerves at the basal region of the odontoblasts by nine days. Both myelinated and small, nonmyelinated nerves appeared in the subodontoblastic plexus. Small nerves closely associated with the odontoblastic process were found within the predentinal tubules by 25 days. These processes contained occasional mitochondria, numerous microvesicles and small dark granules. From 35–50 days of age, similar nerves which exhibited alternate constrictions and dilations along their lengths were found in the tubules of circumpulpal dentin. By 60 days, both Schwann cell covered and naked axons appeared among the odontoblasts, and by 70 days Schwann cell covered axons appeared in predentin.