TOOTH CIRCULATION:  Control -- Neural Control and Receptors

NEURAL CONTROL AND RECEPTORS

1. Sympathetic vasoconstrictor

2. Adrenergic receptors (norepinephrine & epinephrine agonists)

a. mainly alpha receptors (a-1, but not b-2)
b. effect: vasoconstriction

3. Cholinergic receptors (acetylcholine agonist)

a. muscarinic (presumably)
b. effect: vasodilation

bNote: although cholinergic receptors are present in tooth pulp, it is not clear that ACh releasing nerves are present in the pulp, so the significance of the ACh receptors is uncertain

4. Other receptors: a number of other receptors are present in pulp tissue, including receptors for Substance P (associated with nociceptors)

CvTothCntrNerl.htm