The predisposition of the pulp to react with
more complex but transient cascades of events is shared
by most peripheral tissues and is an important function
to maintain and regain health. As far as the pulp is concerned,
there are some unique features that affect its
ability to sustain injury:
• The encasement within rigid hard-tissue walls restricts
edema formation and expansion. In other words, the
pulpal tissue is confined to a low-compliance system.
• The lack of collateral blood supply in one-rooted
teeth limits the supply and drainage of blood.
Both of these factors have implications for the way in
which inflammatory responses develop in the pulp and
may, on severe challenge, be contributory to pulp tissue
breakdown.