Dentinogenesis

Dentin formation, known as dentinogenesis, is the first identifiable feature in the crown stage of tooth development. The formation of dentin must always occur before the formation of enamel. The different stages of dentin formation result in different types of dentin: mantle dentin, primary dentin, secondary dentin, and tertiary dentin.

Odontoblasts, the dentin-forming cells, differentiate from cells of the dental papilla. They begin secreting an organic matrix around the area directly adjacent to the inner enamel epithelium, closest to the area of the future cusp of a tooth. The organic matrix contains collagen fibers with large diameters (0.1-0.2 μm in diameter). The odontoblasts begin to move toward the center of the tooth, forming an extension called the odontoblast process. Thus, dentin formation proceeds toward the inside of the tooth. The odontoblast process causes the secretion of hydroxyapatite crystals and mineralization of the matrix. This area of mineralization is known as mantle dentin and is a layer usually about 150 μm thick.

Whereas mantle dentin forms from the preexisting ground substance of the dental papilla, primary dentin forms through a different process. Odontoblasts increase in size, eliminating the availability of any extracellular resources to contribute to an organic matrix for mineralization. Additionally, the larger odontoblasts cause collagen to be secreted in smaller amounts, which results in more tightly arranged, heterogenous nucleation that is used for mineralization. Other materials (such as lipids, phosphoproteins, and phospholipids) are also secreted.

Secondary dentin is formed after root formation is finished and occurs at a much slower rate. It is not formed at a uniform rate along the tooth, but instead forms faster along sections closer to the crown of a tooth. This development continues throughout life and accounts for the smaller areas of pulp found in older individuals. Tertiary dentin, also known as reparative dentin, forms in reaction to stimuli, such as attrition or dental caries.

The dentin in the root of a tooth forms only after the presence of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS), near the cervical loop of the enamel organ. Root dentin is considered different than dentin found in the crown of the tooth (known as coronal dentin) because of the different orientation of collagen fibers, the decrease of phosphoryn levels, and the less amount of mineralization.

Permanent teeth

1. The permanent teeth begin formation between birth and 3 years of age (except for the third molars)

2. The crowns of permanent teeth are completed between 4 and 8 years of age, at approximately one- half the age of eruption

The sequence for permanent development

Maxillary                     

First molar → Central incisor → Lateral incisor → First premotar → Second pmmolar  → Canine → Second molar → Third molar

Mandibular

First molar → Central incisor → Lateral incisor → Canine → First premolar → Second premolar → Second molar → Third molar

Permanent teeth emerge into the oral cavity as

                                      Maxillary                       Mandibular

Central incisor               7-8 years                        6-7 years

Lateral incisor                8-9 years                        7-8 years

Canine                           11-12 years                    9-10 years

First premolar                10-Il years                      10-12 years

Second premolar            10-12 years                  11-12 years

First molar                       6-7 years                      6-7 years

Second molar                 12-13 years                    11-13 years

Third molar                      17-21 years                    17-21 years

The roots of the permanent teeth are completed between 10 and 16 years of age, 2 to 3 years after eruption

Genetics and Environment: Introduction

The size of the teeth and the timing of the developing dentition and its eruption are genetically determined. Teeth are highly independent in their development. Also, teeth tend to develop along a genetically predetermined course.: tooth development and general physical development are rather independent of one another. Serious illness, nutritional deprivation, and trauma can significantly impact development of the teeth. This genetic independence (and their durability) gives teeth special importance in the study of evolution.

Teeth erupt full size and are ideal for study throughout life. Most important, age and sex can be recorded.

When teeth erupt into the oral cavity, a new set of factors influence tooth position. As the teeth come into function, genetic and environment determine tooth position.

In real life, however, girls shed deciduous teeth and receive their permanent teeth slightly earlier than boys, possibly reflecting the earlier physical maturation achieved by girls. Teeth are slightly larger in boys that in girls

Periodontal ligament development

Cells from the dental follicle give rise to the periodontal ligaments (PDL).

Formation of the periodontal ligaments begins with ligament fibroblasts from the dental follicle. These fibroblasts secrete collagen, which interacts with fibers on the surfaces of adjacent bone and cementum. This interaction leads to an attachment that develops as the tooth erupts into the mouth. The occlusion, which is the arrangement of teeth and how teeth in opposite arches come in contact with one another, continually affects the formation of periodontal ligaments. This perpetual creation of periodontal ligaments leads to the formation of groups of fibers in different orientations, such as horizontal and oblique fibers.

 lntraarch relationship refers to the alignment of the teeth within an arch

1. In an ideal alignment teeth should contact at their proximal crests of curvature. A continuous arch form is observed in occlusal view

Curves of the occlusal plane (a line connecting the cusp tips of the canines, premolars, and molars) are observed from the proximal view

Curve of Spee: anterior to posterior curve; for mandibular teeth the curve is concave and for maxillary teeth it is convex

Curve of Wilson- medial to lateral curve for mandibular teeth the curve is also convex and for the maxillary it is convex

2. Contact does not always exist Some permanent dentitions have normal spacing

Primary dentitions often have developmental spacing in the anterior area: some primary den titions have a pattern of spacing called primate spaces between the primary maxillary lateral incisors and canine and between the mandibular canine and first mo1ar

Disturbances to the intraarch alignment are described as

a. Qpen contact where interproximal space exist  because of missing teeth oral habits, dental disease, or overdeveloped frena

b. where contact or position is at an unexpected area because of developmental disturbances, crowding, dental caries or periodontal ligament for their misplaced position: facial, lingual. mesial, supra(supraerupted) infra (infraerupted) and torso (rotated) version

Enamel

Structural characteristics and microscopic features

a.  Enamel rods or prisms

(1) Basic structural unit of enamel.

(2) Consists of tightly packed hydroxyapatite crystals. Hydroxyapatite crystals in enamel are four times larger and more tightly packed than hydroxyapatite found in other calcified

tissues (i.e., it is harder than bone).

(3) Each rod extends the entire thickness of enamel and is perpendicular to the dentinoenamel junction (DEJ).
 

b. Aprismatic enamel

(1) The thin outer layer of enamel found on the surface of newly erupted teeth.

(2) Consists of enamel crystals that are aligned perpendicular to the surface.

(3) It is aprismatic (i.e., prismless) and is more mineralized than the enamel beneath it.

(4) It results from the absence of Tomes processes on the ameloblasts during the final stages of enamel deposition.

c. Lines of Retzius (enamel striae)

(1) Microscopic features

 (a) In longitudinal sections, they are observed as brown lines that extend from the DEJ to the

tooth surface.

 (b) In transverse sections, they appear as dark, concentric rings similar to growth rings in a tree.
 

(2) The lines appear weekly during the formation of enamel.
 

(3) Although the cause of striae formation is unknown, the lines may represent appositional or incremental growth of enamel. They may also result from metabolic disturbances of ameloblasts.

(4) Neonatal line

(a) An accentuated, dark line of Retzius that results from the effect of physiological changes

on ameloblasts at birth.

(b) Found in all primary teeth and some cusps of permanent first molars.

d. Perikymata

(1) Lines of Retzius terminate on the tooth surface in shallow grooves known a perikymata.

(2) These grooves are usually lost through wear but may be observed on the surfaces of developing teeth or nonmasticatory surfaces of formed teeth.
 

e. Hunter-Schreger bands

(1) Enamel rods run in different directions. In longitudinal sections, these changes in direction result in a banding pattern known as HunterSchreger bands.

(2) These bands represent an optical phenomenon of enamel and consist of a series of  alternating dark and light lines when the section is viewed with reflected or polarized

light.

f. Enamel tufts

(1) Consist of hypomineralized groups of enamel rods.

(2) They are observed as short, dark projections found near or at the DEJ.

(3) They have no known clinical significance.

g. Enamel lamellae
 

(1) Small, sheet-like cracks found on the surface of enamel that extend its entire thickness.

(2) Consist of hypocalcified enamel.

(3) The open crack may be filled with organic material from leftover enamel organ components, connective tissues of the developing tooth, or debris from the oral cavity.

(4) Both enamel tufts and lamellae may be likened to geological faults in mature enamel.
 

h. Enamel spindle
 

(1) Remnants of odontoblastic processes that become trapped after crossing the DEJ during the differentiation of ameloblasts.
 

(2) Spindles are more pronounced beneath the cusps or incisal edges of teeth (i.e., areas where occlusal stresses are the greatest).