Endocrine excretion glands are not the only one to synthesize hormones. Russian scientist discovered neuroendocrine cells in dental pulp, moreover, healthy and bad teeth show different cell number.
      
      Dental pulp consists of elongated cells, connective tissue, fibroblasts and endotheliocytes. Neuroendocrine cells are large cells with irregular shape and russet lumps in cytoplasm. These lumps are biologically active substances, which are responsible for communication between neighbouring cells and organs by traveling in blood stream or in tissues.
      
      Healthy dental pulp has few neuroendocrine cells, which rapidly proliferate during caries, acute pulpitis and periodontitis. The more serious the disease is, the more cells appear in pulp. These cells react on the environment via extracting peptide hormones, thus regulating blood microcirculation, metabolism, connective tissue cell division and immunocompetent cell activity. Hormones of neuroendocrine cells control inflammation processes during caries and acute pulpitis.
      
      Source: Science News