Definition
noun
(dentistry) The first stage in a developing tooth where a tooth bud forms from the dental lamina.
Supplement
The stage is also referred to as the initiation as the epithelial cells start to proliferate into the ectomesenchyme of the jaw. In humans, it occurs during the fetal stage when the fetus is around 6 weeks old.
Tooth development is comprised of the following stages:
- bud stage
- cap stage
- bell stage
- crown stage