Development of the Teeth

Question 1

Which genes control the embryological development of teeth?

Answer 1

Homeobox genes

Question 2

What are the three stages of embryological tooth development?

Answer 2

Initiation
Morphogenesis
Differentiation

Question 3

What is involved in the initiation stage of embryological tooth development?

Answer 3

Starts week 6
Ectomesenchymal cells accumulate immediately below oral epithelium
Oral mucosal cells proliferate into ectomesenchyme to form primary epithelial band
At week 7, primary epithelial band differentiates into
- Vestibular lamina - forms oral vestibule
- Dental lamina - forms teeth
Within dental lamina, dental buds form = 10 epithelial swellings in each jaw > form enamel organs = precursors to tooth enamel
Beneath enamel organs, ectomesenchymal tissues forms dental papilla = precursors to dentin and pulp

Question 4

What is involved in the morphogenesis stage of embryological tooth development?

Answer 4

Starts in week 10
5 developing tooth germs appear in each quadrant
By week 16, tooth germs of permanent incisors and 1st permanent molars start to form

Question 5

What is involved in the differentiation stage of embryological tooth development?

Answer 5

Finishes by week 18
Tooth germs differentiated
Dental hard tissue formed
Alveolar bone forms around dental follicle