What Are The Stages of Root Development?

When and where did your teeth come in? According to the book Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences, odontogenesis (the medical word for the creation and eruption of teeth) is a process that begins well before birth.

Several steps are involved in this process to form the various components of a tooth. There are two distinct types of teeth in the human mouth: the primary, or baby teeth, and the permanent, or adult teeth. Due to their eventual replacement, permanent teeth form later than deciduous teeth but undergo the same developmental process. The development of teeth is known as odontogenesis, and this blog discusses the stages of root development to help you understand better. 

• Bud Stages

The eighth week of gestation marks the beginning of this phase. The dental lamina is a band of cells that forms inside the upper and lower jaws, and it is from this band that the dental epithelium cells emerge. The tooth germ, composed of all the supporting tissues required to develop a tooth, will derive from these cells.

• Cap stages

At this point, the tooth’s outer layer is formed by cells, eventually forming a cap over the rest of the tooth bud. This crown is called the enamel organ because it ultimately gives rise to cells that become the enamel. The dental papilla, the rest of the tooth bud, develops into the dentin and pulp of the tooth.

The dental follicle is a bag of cells that covers the enamel organ and the dental papilla. There are veins and nerves in this sac. The tooth germ comprises the enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental follicle by the cap stage.

• Bell Stages

The enamel organ develops a bell form and undergoes two changes at this stage. Enamel organ cells first undergo functional plasticity by differentiating. These repurposed cells will join one of four categories:

• Dentin’s innermost layer of epithelium
• The inner layer of the dentin
• The stellate reticulum of the intermediate stratum

A tooth’s enamel is formed by several different types of cells working together. The dental lamina begins to degrade, and the enamel epithelium folds to form the tooth crown during the second event of this stage.

• Crown and Root Development

The crown stage is responsible for developing the outermost layers of your teeth, the enamel and dentin. Enamel is made by a cell called an ameloblast, while odontoblasts make dentin. The epithelium of the tooth enamel and the dental papilla are the sources of these cells.

Three components generate the tooth root: root dentin and root canals (where dental pulp resides). These are the dental papilla, the dental follicle, and Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath.

• Eruptive Stages

After the tooth’s crown and root have developed, the tooth will begin to erupt into the mouth at an angle. To facilitate the tooth’s movement, the jawbone immediately above it will resorb, and other connective tissues will break down. Each tooth will emerge at a different age depending on its type and where it is in the mouth. According to the American Dental Association, primary teeth will begin to emerge between the ages of 6 and 12 months.

As with primary teeth, developing permanent teeth begins at 20 weeks gestation and continues for another 10 months post-birth. According to the Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences article, the third molars, sometimes known as the wisdom teeth, fully develop at five.

Problems During Tooth Formation

Because odontogenesis is so intricate, it sometimes goes awry. Incorrect tooth development can lead to a variety of dental problems.

• The medical term for tooth loss is hypodontia.
• Tooth overgrowth is medically referred to as hypodontia or supernumerary teeth.
• Crooked teeth

Wrapping up

Odontogenesis is a miraculous process leading to tooth development that helps with chewing, talking, and smiling. However, consult your dentist if you or a family member experiences any unusual developmental defects. They will guide how to best proceed with care and get you on the path to a bright, healthy grin.