Tooth Development and Eruption

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to the stages and processes of tooth development and eruption.

Odontogenesis

The process of tooth development.

Dentition

The natural teeth in the jaws, consisting of primary and permanent dentitions.

Anodontia

Absence of one or more teeth due to developmental disturbances.

Microdontia

Abnormally small teeth due to disturbances in tooth development.

Gemination

A disturbance where a single tooth germ tries to divide and forms a large single-rooted tooth.

Fusion

Union of two adjacent tooth germs that result in a larger tooth with two pulp cavities.

Dens in dente

A condition where the enamel organ invaginates into the dental papilla, most commonly affecting the maxillary lateral incisor.

Cap Stage

The stage of tooth development occurring between the ninth and tenth week of prenatal development, characterized by the formation of the tooth germ.

Bell Stage

The stage of tooth development occurring between the eleventh and twelfth week of prenatal development, marked by differentiation and morphogenesis.

Maturation Stage

The final stage of odontogenesis where the dental tissue types fully mineralize.

Apposition Stage

The stage during which enamel, dentin, and cementum are secreted in layers.

Cervical loop

The most cervical part of the enamel organ responsible for root formation.

Hertwig epithelial root sheath

The part of the cervical loop that induces root dentin formation.

Dentinogenesis

The appositional growth of dentin matrix as secreted by odontoblasts.

Amelogenesis

The appositional growth of enamel matrix by ameloblasts.

Dentinocemental junction (DCJ)

The junction between dentin and cementum formed during tooth development.

Alveolar process

Bone that surrounds the roots of teeth, a part of the periodontium.

Teething

The process of a child's primary teeth erupting through the gums.

Nasmyth membrane

A green-gray residue that may form on newly erupted teeth, consisting of fused tissue from the dental cuticle.

Odontoma

A benign neoplasm of odontogenic origin associated with tooth development.

Epithelial pearl

Discrete clusters of epithelial cells that can form cysts or supernumerary teeth.