Morphogenetic fields within the dentition

The concept of genetic control of tooth size and shape by specific morphogenetic fields that control tooth formation originated from studies of the mammalian dentition and later, from the observation that within the human dentition certain key teeth within a class were more stable in size and morphology. More recently, analyses of tooth size from different populations have supported the general ideas inherent in this field theory, however multivariate analyses of tooth size relationships suggest that this genetic control may be more complex than previously envisaged.

The precise nature of cellular and tissue interactions during odontogenesis is not fully understood but experimental.studies point to the important role of the dental papilla and perhaps specific RNA sequences, proteoglycans and collagens.are important in these epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Such experimental studies will help to clarify not only the nature of the odontogenic process but also the extent of the involvement of . the genetic field and clone theories for tooth formation.

This paper summarizes some of the evidence for morphogenetic control over tooth formation that has accrued from morphological and experimental studies. It also suggests directions along which future studies are likely to proceed.