[Oral epithelium during tooth eruption in the rat: a scanning electron microscopic study]

The evolution of the ultrastructural aspect of the oral epithelium during the pre- and posteruptive periods of rat molars was investigated using a scanning electron microscope. The eruption is preceded by a rupture of the superficial layers of the oral epithelium with a desquamation following concentrical circles. As the tooth erupts, the epithelial attachment is generated from ameloblasts.