Dentinal sensory nerve

Dentinal sensory nerves are the peripheral afferent fibers, primarily originating from the trigeminal ganglion, that provide sensory innervation to the dental pulp and extend into the dentinal tubules (StatPearls, 2023). These nerves are categorized into myelinated A-delta fibers, which mediate sharp, localized pain, and unmyelinated C-fibers, which are associated with slow, dull, aching pain often linked to inflammation (Journal of Endodontics, 2017). Their activation is primarily explained by the hydrodynamic theory, which posits that external stimuli cause fluid movement within dentinal tubules, subsequently stimulating mechanoreceptors on the nerve endings (British Dental Journal, 2017). In clinical conditions such as dentin hypersensitivity and pulpitis, these nerves undergo peripheral sensitization, involving the activation and upregulation of specific ion channels like TRPV1 and voltage-gated sodium channels (Journal of Dental Research, 2011). Pharmacological management of dental pain targets these nerves using local anesthetics to block signal conduction or potassium salts to desensitize the nerve membrane by altering the resting potential (PubChem, 2024). While they represent an anatomical structure rather than a single molecule, they are the functional unit for dental pain perception and a key focus for analgesic development.

Other names

Intradental nervePulpal nerve fiberDental afferent neuronA-delta and C-fibers of the pulp

Inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels to block action potential propagation; elevation of extracellular potassium concentration to induce sustained depolarization and prevent repolarization; modulation of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels.