Dental Development Overview

Dental Development

• Dental lamina is the structure responsible for forming the teeth.
• It develops as an extension of the oral epithelium.
• The permanent dentition develops from the distal and lingual processes of the dental lamina
• Deciduous teeth develop from the dental lamina directly
• Permanent molars develop from the distal dental lamina

Stages of Tooth Development

• Bud Stage The first stage of tooth development: formation of a bud-like structure
• Cap Stage The bud develops into a cap-like structure with an enamel organ
• Bell Stage The cap stage matures into a bell stage, where the enamel organ becomes more complex, with the formation of ameloblasts, odontoblasts, and dentin.
• Eruption The tooth moves from the jawbone into the oral cavity at the completion of the bell stage.

Timing of Development

• The development of primary teeth occurs during the 8th to 10th weeks of gestation.
• The development of permanent teeth begins during the 11 to 14 week of gestation
• The eruption of primary teeth occurs between 3 to 30 months of age.
• Permanent tooth eruption occurs between 6 to 25 years of age.

Key Structures

• Enamel Organ: Forms the enamel
• Dental Papilla: Forms the dentin and pulp
• Dental Follicle: Forms the cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone

Anomalies

• Hyperdontia: Presence of supernumerary teeth in addition to the regular number

Genetics of Dental Development

• Autosomal Dominant Pattern: Many dental anomalies are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern