Neuroendocrine cells in the dental pulp in health and disease.

Neuroendocrine cells were identified in human dental pulp by immunohistochemical method using monoclonal antibodies. A population of neuroendocrine cells positively reacting to neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and stained with paraldehyde-fuchsin, was detected in the subodontoblastic layer of the pulp. Changes in their count, morphology, and function in caries and pulpitis concomitant with periodontitis were proven.