Development and components of the healthy dental pulp The dental pulp refers to a tissue on an individual’s teeth that is formed by propagating and condensing the neural crest cells of the dental papilla. Trowbridge and Kim (1998) pointed out that a fully grown dental pulp assumes the appearance of embryonic connective tissue. However, the dental pulp’s periphery consists of highly specialised cells. In addition, the pulp also has microcirculatory components and sensory innervations. Blood flows normally within the dental pulp and provides nutrients and oxygen to the teeth, while still transporting any wastes products for excretion. Bishop and Malhotra (1990) observed that the lymphatic vessels of the dental pulp drain out any excess interstitial fluid. The cell structure of the dental pulp comprises of fibroblasts and the undifferentiated cells. In addition, the dental pulp also consists of white blood cells, macrophages, and dentritic cells. However, the healthy part of the dental pulp does not have mast cells, with their availability indicating some form of inflammation (Ivar & Karin, 2007). Functions of the dental pulp The dental pulp has significant functions. For example, it defends the dentinal tubules from bacterial attack (Nagaoka et al. 1995). There is a remarkable difference in the mode that odontontic and dentinal fluid occupy the dentinal tubules of teeth with vital pulps and those with necrotic pulps. For example, teeth with vital pulps are fully occupied as opposed to the teeth that have necrotic pulps. According to Linden et al. (1995) and Vongsavan (1993), dentinal fluid refers to ‘positively charged hydrogel’ with the capacity to prevent bacteria from attacking the pulp. In addition, the flow of the dentinal fluid, according to Linden et al. (1995) and Vongsavan (1993), determines the rate at which harmful substances enter into the dentinal tubules from the oral cavity. Thus, the dentinal fluid dilutes toxins, excretes any invading bacteria, as well as offers defensive support to the dentinal tubules because it has antimicrobial and antibodies to prevent the infection of the dentinal tubules (Trowbridge & Kim, 1998). The dental pulp has specialised cells, the undifferentiated mesenchymal and odontoblasts cells, that have the capacity to protect the dental pulp from threats of trauma or caries. Such a function can be attributed to the fact that these cells form a hard tissue barrier over the pulp. In addition, the dental pulp contains the necessary constituents for recognizing and breaking down antigens (Jontell & Bergenholtz, 1992; Jontell et al., 1988; Jontell et al., 1987; Jontell et al., 1998). Alongside the presence of neural, the dental pulp also has proprioceptive capability. Usually, an individual in need of dental attention might start experiencing excessive dental painful due to sensory stimuli. The presence of proprioceptive receptors within the pulp ensures the detection and reduction of impacts of masticatory forces within an individual’s teeth. The receptors initiate immediate withdrawal reflexes (Byers & Narhi, 1999; Dong et al. , 1985). Evidently, these features add to the defensive role of the dental pulp, as well as the continual protection it provides on an individual’s dentition (Matsutani et al., 2000; Paphangkorakit & Osborn, 1998). Figure 1: Tooth anatomy. Innervations of the dental pulp It is important to understand the features of dental pulp innervations. The trigeminal nerve has the alveolar branches, which supplies neural to the teeth. On the other hand, the lower and upper