[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Embryology](https://durgical.com/en/embryology/) › [Skeleton, muscles, limbs and skin](https://durgical.com/en/embryology/#a-musculoskeletal) › Teeth [Embryology](https://durgical.com/en/embryology/) · [Skeleton, muscles, limbs and skin](https://durgical.com/en/embryology/#a-musculoskeletal) # Teeth - Embryonic structure Each tooth comes from a dialogue between the lining of the mouth, which makes enamel, and neural crest cells, which make dentin and pulp. Updated 2026-11-01 **See it in 3D:** [Mandible](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mandible/) · [Maxillae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/maxilla/) · [Upper right central incisor](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/upper-right-central-incisor/) · [Upper right first molar](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/upper-right-first-molar/) · [Lower left central incisor](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lower-left-central-incisor/) · [Gums (gingiva)](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/gums/) ## Key points - Enamel = ectoderm (ameloblasts); everything else = neural crest. - Dental lamina in week 6; bud, cap and bell stages. - Dentin = odontoblasts; cementum = cementoblasts. - Tetracyclines stain teeth. - 20 milk teeth (6 to 24 months); 32 permanent, buds from the third month. ## What it is Teeth form through an interaction between the oral epithelium (ectoderm) and neural crest mesenchyme. From week 6 the dental lamina buds and passes through the bud, cap and bell stages. Enamel is the only ectodermal part; dentin, pulp, cementum and the periodontal ligament come from neural crest. ## Key facts - Week 6: the basal layer of the oral epithelium forms a C-shaped dental lamina along each jaw. - Stages: bud → cap → bell. - Third month: buds of the permanent teeth appear, lingual to the milk teeth; they stay dormant until about age 6. - Eruption of the milk teeth (20): between 6 and 24 months of life. - The enamel knot is a signalling centre that shapes the crown. - HOX genes in the mesenchyme decide whether a tooth will be an incisor or a molar. ## Structure - Enamel organ (ectoderm): inner dental epithelium, stellate reticulum and outer epithelium. - Ameloblasts (inner dental epithelium): lay down enamel. - Dental papilla (neural crest): odontoblasts that make dentin, then the pulp. - Dental sac (neural crest): cementoblasts (cementum) and periodontal ligament. - Epithelial root sheath: guides the shape of the root. ## What it becomes - Enamel: the hardest layer, over the crown; ameloblasts disappear after eruption and enamel cannot be repaired. - Dentin: made by odontoblasts throughout the life of the tooth. - Cementum and periodontal ligament: anchor the root in its socket and cushion chewing. - Pulp: vessels and nerves inside the root canal. ## Markers - RUNX2 - EDA - PAX9 - MSX1 - BMP4 - SHH ## Clinical notes - Tetracyclines in pregnancy or early childhood stain the teeth permanently. - Cleidocranial dysplasia (RUNX2): extra teeth and late eruption of the permanent set. - Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: missing or peg-shaped teeth. - Natal teeth: present at birth, usually lower incisors with little enamel. - Amelogenesis imperfecta (enamel) and dentinogenesis imperfecta (dentin, sometimes with osteogenesis imperfecta). ## Memory aid Enamel is 'skin-born' (ectoderm) and the rest of the tooth is 'crest-born': the mouth makes the hard shell, the crest makes the living core. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which part of the tooth is of ectodermal origin? The enamel, laid down by ameloblasts of the inner dental epithelium. ## Which cells form dentin, and where do they come from? Odontoblasts, which derive from the dental papilla, a neural crest mesenchyme. ## In which week does the dental lamina appear? Around week 6, as a C-shaped band of oral epithelium along each jaw. ## Which antibiotic group is linked to permanent tooth staining? The tetracyclines, which are deposited in teeth that are calcifying. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/embryology/teeth/) ## See it in 3D The structures of Durgical's 3D anatomy where it is found. - [Mandible](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mandible/) - [Maxillae](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/maxilla/) - [Upper right central incisor](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/upper-right-central-incisor/) - [Upper right first molar](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/upper-right-first-molar/) - [Lower left central incisor](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lower-left-central-incisor/) - [Gums (gingiva)](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/gums/) ## Related - [Neural crest cells and their derivatives](https://durgical.com/en/embryology/neural-crest-cells-and-their-derivatives/) - [First pharyngeal arch (mandibular arch) and the trigeminal nerve](https://durgical.com/en/embryology/first-pharyngeal-arch-and-the-trigeminal-nerve/) - [The face: five prominences](https://durgical.com/en/embryology/the-face-five-prominences/) - [Palate: primary and secondary palate](https://durgical.com/en/embryology/palate-primary-and-secondary-palate/) - [Skin, hair, nails and the mammary glands](https://durgical.com/en/embryology/skin-hair-nails-and-the-mammary-glands/) - [Tetracyclines and aminoglycosides](https://durgical.com/en/embryology/tetracyclines-and-aminoglycosides/) - [Skull: neurocranium, viscerocranium, sutures and fontanelles](https://durgical.com/en/embryology/skull-neurocranium-viscerocranium-sutures-and-fontanelles/) ## Related conditions - [Dental caries](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/dental-caries/) - [Osteogenesis imperfecta](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/osteogenesis-imperfecta/) [← All of embryology](https://durgical.com/en/embryology/) Educational content on embryonic development; not a guide to prenatal diagnosis or to medicines in pregnancy and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given. Sources: [Cleidocranial dysplasia: MedlinePlus Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/cleidocranial-dysplasia/) (MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2026); [Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: MedlinePlus Genetics](https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/hypohidrotic-ectodermal-dysplasia/) (MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine, 2026); Langman's Medical Embryology, 13th ed., ch. 17: Head and Neck (Wolters Kluwer, 2015). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/embryology/teeth/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/embryology/teeth/