Dentin formed as a reaction to major damage such as pulpal exposure is called?

Dentin formed as a reaction to major damage such as pulpal exposure is called?

• A. Primary dentin
• B. Secondary dentin
• C. Tertiary dentin (reparative dentin)
• D. Sclerotic dentin

Answer: (C)

Dentin formed in response to significant injury to the dentin–pulp complex is termed tertiary dentin, specifically the reparative type. When there is major damage such as pulpal exposure, the original odontoblasts are damaged or die, and new odontoblast-like cells differentiate from the pulp to lay down dentin. This reparative dentin helps seal the pulp and protect it from further insult. It tends to be irregular and can be atubular, reflecting its defensive, not developmental, origin. By comparison, primary dentin is laid down during tooth formation before eruption, secondary dentin forms slowly after eruption as a ongoing barrier, and sclerotic dentin results from aging or chronic stimulation with tubule occlusion, not a direct repair to injury.

Dentin formed in response to significant injury to the dentin–pulp complex is termed tertiary dentin, specifically the reparative type. When there is major damage such as pulpal exposure, the original odontoblasts are damaged or die, and new odontoblast-like cells differentiate from the pulp to lay down dentin. This reparative dentin helps seal the pulp and protect it from further insult. It tends to be irregular and can be atubular, reflecting its defensive, not developmental, origin. By comparison, primary dentin is laid down during tooth formation before eruption, secondary dentin forms slowly after eruption as a ongoing barrier, and sclerotic dentin results from aging or chronic stimulation with tubule occlusion, not a direct repair to injury.