Dental mineralization is the process by which minerals, primarily calcium and phosphate, are deposited in the dental matrix, leading to the hardening of teeth. This process is essential for the development and maintenance of strong and healthy teeth, and disruptions in mineralization can lead to dental diseases such as caries and hypoplasia.
The enamel knot is a crucial signaling center in the developing tooth germ that orchestrates the formation of the tooth by regulating the differentiation and proliferation of surrounding cells. It ultimately guides the morphogenesis of dental tissues such as enamel, leading to the establishment of the tooth's shape and size.