[Embryologic studies on the development of tooth form]

3-dimensional reconstructions were made from serial sections of human embryos in order to trace back the development of the anlagen of the deciduous dentition. It could be shown that in the stage the late cap/early bell back contours of the inner enamel epithelium resemble the outlines of the later completed tooth. It is discussed that the shape of the earlier stages may set the preconditions for the further formation processes resulting in the occlusal morphology.