Embryological

Development of the
Dental Pulp

Prof. Dr. Işıl KÜÇÜKAY

EMBRYOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
OF THE TEETH

Ø Begins with the inductive signaling and

interaction of two adjacent tissues,
the oral epithelium (surface ectoderm) and
the neural-crest derived mesenchyme.
Ø In the intrauterinal 6th week,
epithelial- mesenchymal interaction starts
between the ectoderm and the mesoderm.
EMBRYOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
OF THE TOOTH TISSUES
As a result of this
epithelial- mesenchymal interaction,

The teeth develop from ectoderm and mesoderm

* Enamel
develops from the ectoderm of the oral cavity.

* All other tissues of the tooth

develop from the associated mesencyme.
TOOTH DEVELOPMENT /
ODONTOGENESIS

Local thickening of the oral epithelium

give rise to the progress of the
* Bud Stage
* Cap Stage
* Bell Stage
and formation of the early tooth germs.
* All stages are called according to the shape
of the epithelial enamel organ.
TOOTH DEVELOPEMENT /
ODONTOGENESIS
 1. DEVELOPMENT OF
TOOTH BUDS
´Localized proliferation of cells in the
dental laminae forms round or oval
swellings, the tooth buds, which grow
into the mesenchyme.
´The tooth buds develop into
the deciduous or milk teeth.
´There are 10 tooth buds in each jaw,
one for each tooth.
 TOOTH DEVELOPMENT
Ø Not all teeth develop at the same time.
Ø The first tooth buds are seen in the anterior
mandibular region,
Ø later in the anterior maxillary region,
Ø then posteriorly in both jaws.
Ø Development is in continuous stages.
 BUD STAGE
Ø The tooth buds for the permanent teeth, with deciduous
predecessors, are seen in the 10-week fetus, developing from
deeper continuations of the dental laminae.

Ø They lie on the tongue or lingual side of the deciduous buds.

Ø Tooth buds for the permanent teeth appear at different ages

during the fetal period except for the second and third
permanent molars, which appear after birth, at about 4 months
and 5 years, respectively.

Ø The permanent molars with no deciduous predecessors develop

as buds from backward extensions of the dental laminae.
 2. CAP STAGE

Ø The deep surface of each ectodermal tooth bud becomes invaginated by mesenchyme and
called the dental papilla, which gives rise to dentin and dental pulp.

Ø The ectodermal, cap-shaped covering over the papilla is called the enamel organ since it will
produce the future enamel of the tooth.

Ø The outer cellular layer of the ectodermal enamel organ is called the outer enamel epithelium
(OEE); the inner layer lining the cap is the inner enamel epithelium (IEE).

Ø The cell region between the IEE and the OEE forms the core or bulk of the cap and is called
the stellate or enamel reticulum.

Ø As the enamel organ and dental papilla form, the surrounding mesenchyme condenses
as the dental sac, which later forms the cementum, the periodontal ligament and some
alveolar bone.
dental papilla
dental follicle
 LATE CAP STAGE
DENTAL PAPILLA
´ On the inside of the cap, the ectomesenchymal cells increase in
number.
´ The tissue appears more dense than the surrounding mesencheme
and represents the beginning of dental papilla.
´ As development progresses from bud to bell stage, cells of the
dental papilla become more compact, and the area enlarges.
 3. BELL STAGE
Ø With invagination of the enamel organ, the tooth assumes a bell shape.

Ø The mesenchymal cells in the dental papilla, adjacent to the IEE differentiate
into odontoblasts, which produce predentin, and deposit it adjacent to IEE.

Ø The predentin later calcifies to form dentin.

Ø As the dentin thickens, the odontoblasts regress toward the center of the dental
papilla but odontoblastic processe (Tomes' dentinal fibers) remain embedded
in the dentin.

Ø In late bell stage, the dental papilla turns into

the dental pulp.
 3. BELL STAGE
Ø Cells of the inner enamel epithelium near the dentin form
ameloblasts, which produce enamel in the form of prisms or rods
over the dentin layer, thus help to form the outer layer of the tooth or
the crown. As enamel increases, the ameloblasts regress.

Ø Thus, both enamel and dentin create the crown, beginning the
formation at the cusp or tip of the tooth.
TEETH DEVELOPMENT
RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGE
Mixed Dentition Period
 TOOTH DEVELOPMENT
RADIOGRAPHIC VIEW

On the radiographs;
* Hard tissues of the tooth appear radiopaque (white color).
* Since the enamel is the most minerilized and the hardest
tissue, enamel appears more radiopaque than dentin.
* Soft tissues of the tooth appear radiolucent (gray color).
 TOOTH DEVELOPMENT
RADIOGRAPHIC VIEW

* Before the mineralization of tooth germs starts,

the germs may be visible as circular radiolucent areas
on the radiograph.
* Once the crown of a tooth has been formed, root formation
begins.
* 2-3 years after the crown appears in the mouth cavity,
the root devolepment is accomplished.
ON RADIOGRAPHS
CAN WE ESTIMATE?
Ø The sex of the patient?
Ø The age of the patient?
Ø Tooth vitality?
 DENTAL PAPILLA
Ø Dental papilla is the mass of mesenchyme locating
next to inner enamel epithelium (IEE) and occupying
the cavity of each enamel organ.
Ø It is first seen in the late cap stage and becomes
more pronounces as it goes through the bell stage.
Ø As developement progresses from bud to bell stage,
cells of the dental papilla become more compact,
and the area increases.
Ø Dental papilla gives rise to the dentin and the pulp
of the tooth.
 DENTAL PAPILLA
Ø Dental papilla sits within the conical shape of the
inner enamel epithelium (IEE) cells and becomes
very pronounced, bulding out from the enamel organ.
Ø The nerves and blood vessels of the pulp formed by
the dental papilla are first seen in the early stage of
dental papilla formation.
Ø They invade the early pulpal tissue, and as the rest of
the tooth forms, the neural and vascular components
of the pulp are already present.
 DENTAL PULP

´ Crown pulp
´ Radicular pulp
PULP HORNS

Ø Coronal pulp has extensions

into the cusp of each tooth.

Ø These protrusions are called

pulp horns.
ENDODONTIC IMPORTANCE
OF PULP HORNS
Ø Great care should be taken
while cleaning the decay cavity,
pulp can be exposed.

Ø It should be cleaned very well

during root canal treatment,
remnants may cause
discoloration of the tooth.
 Ø Great care should be taken It

´ Although dentin is mineralized and pulp remains as soft tissue;

the dentin and the pulp maintain a close relationship
structurally and functionally throughout the life of the tooth.
´ Since the cellular extensions of the odontoblasts
(odontoblastic process) and nerve endings are located in
dentin:
´ Depending on the activity of the pulp cells, a dentin reaction
occurs.
´ Changes in the dentin tissue also significantly affect the pulp
reaction.
 PULP TISSUE

«The pulp is a small tissue

with a big issue»

I. B. Bender
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION AND
WISH YOU SUCCESS