Odontoblast
Definition
A specialised cell of neural crest origin that forms dentine. The cell body sits at the pulp-dentine junction while a long cellular process extends through the dentinal tubule. These processes contain nuclear DNA that can be extracted for forensic profiling even from aged or mummified teeth.
- Origin
- Neural crest
- Function
- Forms dentine
- Structure
- Cell body at pulp-dentine junction, process through dentinal tubule
- Forensic use
- Source of nuclear DNA even in aged/mummified teeth
Common questions
Why do odontoblast processes preserve usable DNA longer than DNA in soft tissue?+
The dentinal tubules that house odontoblast processes are protected by the surrounding mineralised dentine, which shields the enclosed cellular material from many of the microbial and environmental degradation pathways that break down DNA in exposed soft tissue, making teeth a favoured sample source in decomposed or old remains.
How does an analyst physically access odontoblast-derived DNA from a tooth?+
The tooth is typically sectioned or the pulp chamber is accessed directly, and dentine powder is often ground from the tubule-rich inner layer, since simply swabbing the tooth surface would recover mostly surface contamination rather than the protected DNA within the tubules.
Can odontoblast-derived DNA distinguish between a person's own remains and contamination from another source?+
Because the tubules protect the DNA physically, contamination is less likely than with surface samples, but it is not eliminated entirely, so standard contamination controls, such as decontaminating the tooth exterior before sectioning, remain necessary.
Related terms
- Cementum
- A thin, bone-like mineralised tissue that covers the external surface of the tooth root. Deposited incrementally throughout life in alternating translucent and...
- Cementum Annuli
- Incremental growth layers in cementum, deposited at a rate of approximately one pair of translucent and opaque bands per year throughout adult...
- Dentine
- The mineralised tissue forming the bulk of the tooth, surrounding the pulp chamber and root canal. Contains a network of dentinal tubules,...
- Enamel
- The outermost layer of the tooth crown, formed by ameloblasts before tooth eruption. Composed of approximately 96% hydroxyapatite mineral by weight. Acellular...
- Stable Isotope Analysis
- A technique that measures the ratio of stable (non-radioactive) isotopes of elements such as strontium, oxygen, and carbon in a biological sample....