Dental lamina

Dental lamina is a band of epithelial tissue seen in histologic sections of a developing tooth. The dental lamina is first evidence of tooth development and begins in the embryo at the sixth week of life. It is formed when the oral epithelium thickens along the line of the future dental arches. The dental lamina will give rise to the tooth buds for the deciduous teeth and later the permanent teeth.

Etymology

The term "dental lamina" comes from the Latin dens, meaning "tooth", and lamina, meaning "thin plate".

Development

The dental lamina forms during the sixth week of embryonic development. It is a band of oral epithelium that thickens along the line of the future dental arches. This thickening is induced by the underlying mesenchyme, which is derived from neural crest cells. The dental lamina then gives rise to the tooth buds for the deciduous (baby) teeth and later the permanent teeth.

Function

The dental lamina serves as the origin of tooth development. It gives rise to the tooth buds that will eventually form the deciduous and permanent teeth. The dental lamina also plays a role in the formation of the enamel organ, which is responsible for the production of enamel, the hard, outer covering of the tooth.

Related Terms

• Tooth development
• Deciduous teeth
• Permanent teeth
• Enamel organ
• Mesenchyme

See Also

• Oral epithelium
• Dental arch
• Neural crest

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