Pulp response to enamel caries

Objective To observe pulp reactions underlying enamel caries and its relation to caries activity.Methods A total of 22 teeth with enamel lesion were continuously sectioned,pulpal cellular reactions to the lesion were examined using computerized histomorphometry for the cytoplasm,nucleus ratio of the odontoblast cell,the adjacent predentine area and the number of odontoblast cells.Blood vessel and inflammtory cell reactions were also recorded.Results In active enamel caries,nucleus ratio of odontoblast and predentine area were markedly reduced,and the cellular proliferation into the cell-free zone,mild increase of chronic inflammatory cells and enlargement of blood vessel were also found.While in chronic enamel caries,no such changes were noted.Conclusion Dental pulp injury can take place in enamel caries and the degree of the injury is associated with caries activity.