Histology and the Life Cycle of the Tooth

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Histology and the Life Cycle of the Tooth
Although the formation of the tooth is a continuous process, the process can be divided into three main stages- The Bud Stage, Cap stage, and Bell stage (Thesleff 2533). Below is a discussion on each stage of development.
1.	The Bud stage
This stage is characterized by localized and rounded growth of epithelium, which is encircled by proliferating mesenchymal cells. The cells are often packed closely around and beneath the epithelial buds. The enamel organ in this stage consists of centrally located polygonal cells and peripherally located low columnar cells (Tucker and Sharpe 502). At this point, the development of the tooth takes the appearance of a cap as it occurs around ectomesenchymal accretion. 
2.	Cap Stage
At this step, the first signs of the arrangement of tooth buds are visible. The ectomesenchymal cells stop secreting extracellular substances resulting in the aggregation of these of the dental papilla cells. The dental papilla is then limited by the dental sac or follicle (a condensation of the ectomesenchymal cells). Ultimately, the enamel organ produces the enamel and the dental papilla produces pulp and dentin. The dental sac, on the other hand, produces all the periodontium, the supporting structures of the tooth.
3.	Bell Stage
This stage is famous for the processes of morphodifferentiation and histodifferentiation. It gets its name from the dental organ, which is essentially bell-shaped. The majority of the cells at this stage are known as stellate reticulum due to the star-shaped look. The cells on the periphery separate into four imperative layers. 
Other processes take place during the bell stage. The lamina disintegrates that leaves the tooth completely separated from the oral cavity of the epithelium. The two parts do not join until the tooth finally emerges from the gum (Alqahtani et al. 482). 
















Works Cited
Alqahtani, Sakher J., M. P. Hector, and H. M. Liversidge. "Brief communication: the London atlas of human tooth development and eruption." American Journal of Physical Anthropology 142.3 (2010): 481-490.
Thesleff, Irma. "The genetic basis of tooth development and dental defects." American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A 140.23 (2006): 2530-2535.
Tucker, Abigail, and Paul Sharpe. "The cutting-edge of mammalian development; how the embryo makes teeth." Nature Reviews Genetics 5.7 (2004): 499-508.