1. Prior to bud stage, 2 bands of thickened epithelium forms in the presumptive upper and lower jaws of the embryo 2. On each band, a ribbon-thin shelf emerges into the underlying ectomesenchyme. This inward growth is called the dental lamina and signals the beginning of tooth development 3. Bud stage commences w the formation of small bulges on the dental lamina, which grow into the adjacent ectomesenchymal tissue creating a bud 4. As the bud grows, it forms the shape of a lightbulb attached to the end of a rope as the ectomesenchymal cells continue to proliferate around it 5. Infolding appears with growth, and ectomesenchymal cells continue to proliferate within that fold (beginning of cap stage) 6. As the cells of the enamel organ differentiates several cell populations can be identified: inner and outer enamel epithelium, stellate reticulum and enamel knot (beginning of bell stage) 7. Formation of above structures paired with formation of cervical loops: points where the cells continue to divide until crown of tooth at its full size 8. Late bell stage: production of tooth's hard tissues (enamel and dentine) Meanwhile dental lamina begins to shrink and eventually breaks away from the tooth bud --> bud separated from epithelium of oral cavity (end of bell stage) in case anyone needs this!
