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Teeth

Teeth

The formation of teeth, also known as odontogenesis, is a complex process that begins in utero, around the sixth week of embryonic development. There are three stages to this process: the bud stage, the cap stage, and the bell stage.
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...

Tooth Anatomy

Tooth Anatomy

The human tooth enables us to eat a variety of foods, speak clearly, and even aid in shaping our faces. Teeth are composed of various elements that work together. Here's a detailed look at the anatomy of a human tooth.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.

Overview of Regeneration and Repair

Overview of Regeneration and Repair

Regeneration and repair processes are critical in healing damages caused by injury, disease, and aging. In regeneration, the damaged tissue is entirely replaced with new growth that restores the original architecture and function. In contrast, tissue repair usually results in a fixed tissue architecture involving scar formation. Scars generally do not reestablish tissue function and may also exhibit structural abnormalities at the injury site.
Regeneration
All animals have varying degrees of...

Whole Body Regeneration

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Regeneration is the process of restoring injured or lost tissues, organs, or body parts. While simpler organisms generally show greater ability to regenerate their whole body, few complex animals show similarly exceptional regeneration. For example, planarian flatworms have a unique regenerative potential making them a popular study organism among biologists to understand the mechanisms of whole body regeneration. Other organisms, such as hydra, also show extreme regeneration potential; even...

Notch Signaling Pathway

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...

Notch Signaling Pathway

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

The Slice Culture Method for Following Development of Tooth Germs In Explant Culture

The Slice Culture Method for Following Development of Tooth Germs In Explant Culture

Published on: November 13, 2013

Common developmental pathways link tooth shape to regeneration.

Gareth J Fraser¹, Ryan F Bloomquist, J Todd Streelman

¹Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience and School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Developmental Biology

|February 21, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Vertebrate tooth shape develops during lifelong replacement, unlike in mammals. Molecular signals integrate tooth regeneration and shape, offering insights for regenerative dentistry.

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Analysis of Developing Tooth Germ Innervation Using Microfluidic Co-culture Devices

Analysis of Developing Tooth Germ Innervation Using Microfluidic Co-culture Devices

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Isolation of Epithelial Cells from Human Dental Follicle

Isolation of Epithelial Cells from Human Dental Follicle

Published on: November 5, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 14, 2026

The Slice Culture Method for Following Development of Tooth Germs In Explant Culture

The Slice Culture Method for Following Development of Tooth Germs In Explant Culture

Published on: November 13, 2013

Analysis of Developing Tooth Germ Innervation Using Microfluidic Co-culture Devices

Analysis of Developing Tooth Germ Innervation Using Microfluidic Co-culture Devices

Published on: August 14, 2015

Isolation of Epithelial Cells from Human Dental Follicle

Isolation of Epithelial Cells from Human Dental Follicle

Published on: November 5, 2021

Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Evolutionary Biology
Regenerative Medicine

Background:

In non-mammalian vertebrates, adult teeth develop complex shapes through cyclical replacement of simpler teeth.
Mammalian tooth development contrasts with this, where complex shapes form in the initial dentition without lifelong replacement.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how vertebrates generally replace dentition and how this influences tooth morphology.
To understand the molecular mechanisms integrating tooth regeneration and shape development in vertebrates.

Main Methods:

Immunohistochemistry to map cichlid tooth organogenesis and identify initiating epithelial structures.
Gene expression analysis to identify co-expressed genes and pathways active during tooth replacement and morphogenesis.
In vivo manipulation of signaling pathways (BMP, FGF, Hh, Notch, Wnt/β-catenin) using small molecules.

Main Results:

Identified an epithelial down-growth initiating replacement via a labial proliferation bias.
Discovered distinct epithelial cell populations expressing markers of dental competence and potency, potentially driving regeneration.
Demonstrated dose-dependent effects of targeted pathway manipulation on tooth replacement and shape, indicating integrated molecular control.

Conclusions:

Tooth regeneration and shape morphogenesis are integrated by a shared set of molecular signals in vertebrates.
This integration appears decoupled in mammals, where complex shapes form in non-regenerating first-generation teeth.
Understanding these molecular mechanics offers potential for regenerative dentistry applications.