The number and size of axons at the apex of the cat's canine tooth

Abstract

Using electron microscopy and morphometric analysis the number and size of axons entering the apex of the cat's mandibular canine tooth have been measured. The total number of axons varied from 761 to 1,903 between different animals but the maximum difference between right and left sides of the same animal was 353. From 56 to 79.6% of the axons were nonmyelinated; the difference in proportion between right and left sides never exceeded 6.4%. The mean circumference of myelinated axons ranged from 10.2 to 18.3μm but again the right and left variation was much less and never exceeded 2 μm. In one tooth 38.8% of the myelinated axons were larger than 19 μm in circumference and thus outside the Aδ range. The proportion was much smaller in other teeth but some “large” fibers were always present. Of all the nonmyelinated axons 19.7% showed some degree of axonal exposure to the extracellular space and 1.7% showed axoaxonal apposition. A small proportion of nonmyelinated axons showed evidence of apparent degeneration. Comparison of these data with those from studies at more coronal levels suggests that there is considerable branching and narrowing of fibers during their course through the dental pulp and that the degree of axonal exposure and apposition increases considerably. Some of the pulpal fibers are derived from larger axons than are normally associated with pain. The animal to animal variation in the parameters measured is considerable but right and left sides are similar.