Transmembrane Potentials of Odontoblasts

Abstract

Resting potentials and the electrical excitability of odontoblasts were determined by intracellular microelectrode measurements on both dog and human teeth. The mean resting potential of odontoblasts from freshly extracted human teeth was 32 mv. Extracted dog teeth yielded a mean value of 30 mv. Resting potentials of odontoblasts from dog teeth in situ had a mean value of 34 mv. Electrical stimuli applied to the dentino-enamel junction did not cause an active electrical response of the odontoblasts.