title: The origin of tooth cusps--a hypothesis.
abstract: An embryological concept is offered to explain the formation of tooth cusps. The epithelium is considered to play the active part in morphogenesis. The folding of the inner sheath of the enamel organ must be seen to be the origin of tooth cusps. This folding can be considered to be a consequence of the ability to span only a certain area without folding. The regularity of the folding--and thus the regularity of the molar occlusal pattern--might be a result of the unique material properties of the inner enamel epithelium.
authors: Abt. Kieferorthopädie des Zentrums Zahn-Mund-Kieferheilkunde Klinikum, Universität Göttingen, West Germany.
authors: R J
authors: RJ
authors: Radlanski
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Jäger
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Zimmer
mesh_terms: D000566:Amelogenesis; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000196:embryology; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000196:embryology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar / Q000196:embryology; D009805:Odontogenesis; D014070:Tooth / Q000196:embryology*