Week 9 - Tooth Development Amelogenesis and Dentinogenesis Flashcards
What is amelogenesis
the process of enamel formation in teeth
What synthesizes enamel
inner enamel epithelium cells which differentiate into ameloblasts
What happens prior to amelogenesis
Odontoblasts initiate dentine matrix formation prior to the beginning of amelogenesis
What are the 5 stages of amelogenesis
- Pre-secretory (active)
- Secretory (active)
- Transitional
- Maturational (active)
- Post-maturational
What occurs in the pre-secretory stage of amelogenesis
- Inner enamel epithelium differentiate into pre-ameloblasts
- Pre-ameloblasts induce dental papilla cells to differentiate into pre-odontoblasts
- Pre-odontoblasts release enzymes that degrade the basal lamina (separates enamel organ and dental papilla)
- Odontoblasts begin to lay down dentin matrix
- The first formed dentine induces the pre-ameloblasts to change into Ameloblasts
- Ameloblasts first lay down enamel at the future cusp tips/incisal edges
What occurs during the secretory stage of amelogenesis
- tomes process forms (cone shaped process at the end of the ameloblast)
- The Tomes process secretes enamel matrix protein
- Enamel crystals that elongate around the tip of the tomes process form the prism core
- Enamel Crystals extending from where the ameloblasts are joined to each other form at the prism boundary
What occurs in the transition stage
- Enamel secretion by the ameloblast stops
- Ameloblasts reduce in height and the number of them reduce by 50%
- All organelles of ameloblasts are reduced
- Blood vessels invaginate into the enamel organ
What is the composition of developing enamel
- Amelogenins 90-95%
- Non-amelogenins 5-10%
What occurs in the maturation stage
- Ameloblasts move minerals (Ca, PO4, CO2) into the matrix) and removes water and enamel matrix proteins
- Enamel crystals increase in width and thickness and the crystals get closer together (reduction in the crystal space)
- Amount of organelles in ameloblasts reduce
What occurs in post maturation stage- amelogenesis
- Ameloblasts become flat ended
- A thin layer of protein separates ameloblast cells from enamel (primary enamel cuticle)
- Remnants of enamel organ merge with flattened ameloblasts to form reduced enamel epithelium (REE)
- Primary enamel cuticle + REE = Nasmyth’s membrane (protects enamel during eruption)
What is the primary enamel cuticle
thin layer of protein which separates ameloblast cells from enamel
It is the material extruded from the enamel during maturation
What is the reduced enamel epithelium (REE)
Remnants of the enamel organ which has merged with flattened ameloblasts
What is the Nasmyth’s membrane
Nasmythy’s membrane = primary enamel cuticle + reduced enamel epithelium
It protects the enamel during eruption
What is dentinogenesis
the process of the formation of dentin from odontoblasts
what cells produces dentin
ectomesenchyme dental papilla cells which differentiate into odontoblasts
What is the function of dentin
- Forms a protective covering for dental pulp and provides support for overlying enamel
- It also contains odontoblast processes and nerves
What are the physical properties of dentin
- pale yellow colour
- Tubular structure
- Harder than bone and cementum but softer than enamel
- Organic matrix and tubular structure provides greater compressive, tensile and flexural strength
- Permeable (enamel is not permeable)