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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
09:25
Assessing Signaling Properties of Ectodermal Epithelia During Craniofacial Development
Published on: March 24, 2011
Neural crest contribution to mammalian tooth formation
Isabelle Miletich1, Paul T Sharpe
1Department of Craniofacial Development, Dental Institute, King's College London, United Kingdom. Isabelle.Miletich@kcl.ac.uk
Birth Defects Research. Part C, Embryo Today : Reviews
|July 23, 2004
Summary
Cranial neural crest cells are essential for mammalian tooth development, forming dental tissues and supporting structures. These cells
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Craniofacial development
- Stem cell biology
Background:
- Cranial neural crest cells are crucial for mammalian tooth development.
- They form dental tissues and the periodontium.
- Tooth organogenesis involves interactions between cranial neural crest cells and oral epithelium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of cranial neural crest cells in tooth development.
- To understand the signaling interactions regulating tooth shape and positioning.
- To explore the potential of cranial neural crest cells in dental tissue regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cranial neural crest cell function in tooth development.
- Analysis of signaling pathways involved in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions.
- Investigation of neural crest cell plasticity in dental pulp.
Main Results:
- Oral epithelium provides initial signals for tooth shape and positioning.
- Cranial neural crest-derived mesenchyme contains critical information for tooth shape.
- Some cranial neural crest cells in dental pulp retain developmental plasticity postnatally.
Conclusions:
- Cranial neural crest cells are indispensable for forming all dental tissues and supporting structures.
- Epithelial-mesenchymal signaling orchestrates tooth development, defining shape and location.
- The plasticity of cranial neural crest cells in dental pulp offers potential for future dental regeneration therapies.
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