Pulp
Pronunciation: PULP
The soft connective tissue at the centre of a tooth, containing nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatics.
Full Definition
The dental pulp is the soft, vascularised, and innervated connective tissue occupying the pulp chamber in the crown and the root canals in the root. It is responsible for tooth sensation (particularly pain), dentine formation, and immune responses. In clinical and endodontic documents, the pulp's vitality status (vital, non-vital, hyperaemic) is critical information. Editors should recognise terms such as 'pulp exposure', 'pulp capping', 'pulp necrosis', and 'pulp chamber', and ensure these are not confused with pulpotomy or pulpectomy, which are procedures acting on the pulp.
Usage
Usage note: The lay term 'nerve' is sometimes used colloquially to mean 'pulp' in patient-facing materials. In clinical records, use 'pulp' consistently. Do not use 'nerve' as a synonym in formal clinical documentation.
In Context
- "Deep excavation of caries revealed a pulp exposure, requiring direct pulp capping." — Operative dentistry note
- "Electric pulp testing confirmed that the pulp of the upper left lateral incisor was non-vital." — Endodontic assessment record