The Cell Biology of Amelogenesis

Enamel development can be divided mto several major stages in each of which the ameloblasts and other cells of the enamel organ have a unique morphology. The presecretory stage of amelogenesis is first and includes that portion of the enamel organ before enamel matrix is secreted. Amelogenesis is preceded by early events of tooth development divided into the initiation, morphogenetic, and cytodifferentiation phases. Presecretory ameloblasts synthesize and secrete enamel proteins in a similar manner to secretory-stage ameloblasts. The dentine-enamel junction retains the form of the basal lamina between the epithelial and mesenchymal tissue layers. Mammalian secretory amelogenesis is a process in which highly differentiated cells, the secretory ameloblasts, synthesize and secrete enamel matrix proteins during tooth development. The maturation-stage enamel organ is characterized by three major structural features: the vasculature, papillary cells, and maturation-stage ameloblasts. The secretory-stage enamel organ consist of four cell layers: the outer enamel epithelium, the stellate reticulum, the stratum intermedium, and secretory stage ameloblasts.