Physiologic Studies on the Innervation of Tooth

Abstract

Physiological investigations were made to explain the etiology of hypersensitive dentin. The results were as follows: Electrical afferent impulses from the mandibular nerve were evident when dentinoenamel junction, predentin, or odontoblasts were stimulated. While rubbing dentin, the impulses could not be found, but, occasionally, spontaneous discharge was elicited. These results suggest that the nerve fibers do not terminate in the dentinal tubules. A hot air jet was more effective than cold water and electrical stimulus in causing the excitation.