Odontoblasts in health and disease with an additional note on its three-Dimensional histological perspective

Abstract

Teeth are considered to be the prime organs for mastication, speech, and esthetics. The basic structure of tooth involves enamel, dentin, and pulp. Each of these is formed by specialized structures during the various phases of tooth development. One of such specialized structures forming dentin of the tooth are odontoblasts. Being present at the periphery of the pulp chamber, they are in close contact with dentin through cytoplasmic extensions which travel into the entire length of dentin through dentinal tubules. In addition to dentin formation, they play a vital role in performing the various functions of the tooth including nerve sensation. They are functionally active throughout the life span of a healthy tooth and are subjective to numerous injuries causing various oral lesions. This review aims to collect the information with an additional note on the role of odontoblasts and their characteristics in a healthy and diseased tooth structure, their significance in endodontics and three-dimensional (3D) histological means.