Structure and Development of Odontoblasts
- Odontoblasts are large columnar cells located along the dentin-pulp interface.
- They have a high secretory capacity due to abundant endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex.
- Odontoblasts form predentin, which later mineralizes to become mature dentin.
- The nucleus of odontoblasts is aligned away from the dentin during secretion.
- Dentin nutrition is provided through dentinal tubules from adjacent pulp tissue.
- Odontoblasts first appear during tooth development at around 17-18 weeks in utero.
- They originate from the outer cells of the dental papilla.
- Dentin and pulp tissue have similar embryological backgrounds.
- Odontoblasts remain present throughout life unless affected by bacterial or chemical attack.
- Dental procedures or trauma can also lead to the death of odontoblasts.

Function of Odontoblasts
- Odontoblasts aid in the secretion of intertubular and peritubular dentin.
- They maintain the dentinal tubule and dentinal fluid.
- Odontoblasts secrete sclerotic dentin to block off dentinal tubules during carious attack.
- They transmit signals of attack to the odontoblastic cell body, initiating secretion of reactionary dentin.
- Odontoblasts play a role in the dental temperature sensing system.

Sensory Transduction in Odontoblasts
- Odontoblasts are involved in the sensation of dentinal sensitivity.
- The Piezo1-pannexin-1-P2X3 axis in odontoblasts mediates sensory transduction.
- Piezo1 is a mechanosensitive ion channel that responds to mechanical stimuli.
- Pannexin-1 is a gap junction protein that forms channels for intercellular communication.
- P2X3 is a subtype of purinergic receptor involved in pain sensation.

Role of Neurons in Sensory Transduction
- Neurons also play a role in sensory transduction in dentinal sensitivity.
- Neurons transmit signals from odontoblasts to the central nervous system.
- Sensory neurons in the dental pulp are activated by mechanical or chemical stimuli.
- These neurons send signals to the brain, resulting in the perception of pain or sensitivity.
- The interaction between odontoblasts and neurons is crucial for sensory transduction.

Dentinal Sensitivity and Research
- Dentinal sensitivity is a common dental problem characterised by pain or discomfort in response to certain stimuli.
- It is often caused by exposed dentin due to gum recession, tooth wear, or dental procedures.
- Dentinal sensitivity can be triggered by hot or cold temperatures, sweet or acidic foods, or mechanical stimuli.
- The sensation of pain or discomfort is a result of the activation of sensory nerves in the dental pulp.
- Recent studies have shed light on the molecular mechanisms of sensory transduction in odontoblasts.
- The Piezo1-pannexin-1-P2X3 axis has been identified as a key pathway involved in dentinal sensitivity.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interactions between odontoblasts, neurons, and sensory transduction.
- Targeting specific components of this pathway may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for dentinal sensitivity.
- Future studies may also explore the potential role of other ion channels, receptors, or signaling pathways in sensory transduction.

Odontoblast (Wikipedia)

In vertebrates, an odontoblast is a cell of neural crest origin that is part of the outer surface of the dental pulp, and whose biological function is dentinogenesis, which is the formation of dentin, the substance beneath the tooth enamel on the crown and the cementum on the root.

Odontoblast
A developing tooth with odontoblasts marked.
The cervical loop area: (1) dental follicle cells, (2) dental mesenchyme, (3) Odontoblasts, (4) Dentin, (5) stellate reticulum, (6) outer enamel epithelium, (7)inner enamel epithelium, (8) ameloblasts, (9) enamel.
Details
Precursor	Neural crest
Location	Tooth
Identifiers
Latin	odontoblastus
MeSH	D009804
FMA	62999
Anatomical terms of microanatomy [edit on Wikidata]