Mouse, rat and human molars begin to form root after the completion of crown formation. In these teeth, fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) 10 disappears in the transitional stage from crown formation to root. By contrast, rodent incisors and vole molars demonstrate continuous growth, owing to the formation and maintenance of a stem cell compartment by the constant expression of Fgf10. To clarify the relationship between root formation and disappearance of Fgf10, we carried out two experiments for the loss and gain of Fgf10 function. First, we examined postnatal growth in the incisors of Fgf10-deficient mice, which have the defect of a dental epithelial stem cell compartment referred to as `apical bud9, after implantation under the kidney capsule. The growth at the labial side in the mutant mice mimics the development of limited-growth teeth. 5′-Bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling and cytokeratin (CK) 14 and Notch2 immunostaining suggested that the inhibition of inner enamel epithelium growth and the more-active proliferation of the outer enamel epithelium and/or stellate reticulum result in Hertwig9s epithelial root sheath formation. Second, we examined the effects of Fgf10 overexpression in the transitional stage of molar germs, which led to the formation of apical bud involving in the inhibition of HERS formation. Taken together, these results suggest that the disappearance of Fgf10 signaling leads to the transition from crown to root formation, owing to the loss of a dental epithelial stem cell compartment.

Background: The detailed mechanism of osseointegration, the most appropriate implant‐bone interface, remains unclear in jaw tissues at the ultrastructural level in contrast to the many reports using long bones. The present study reports on tissue response to titanium‐implantation on an animal model using rat maxilla.Methods: Animals were sacrificed at 1 to 28 days postimplantation and prepared tissue specimens, freed from implants by a cryofracture technique, were processed for transmission electron microscopy and histochemistry for tartrate resistant acid phosphatase activity (TRAPase).Results: Different patterns in bone formation were recognized between lateral and base areas of implant cavities. In the lateral area with narrow gaps, bone deposition took place from the pre‐existing bone towards the implant after active bone resorption by osteoclasts reactive to TRAPase. However, no distinct bone formation appeared in the lateral area where the implant had been installed close to the osteotomy margin. On the other hand, new bone formation was found at the base area without any apparent bone resorption. Interestingly, mononuclear cells reactive to TRAPase, presumably preosteoclasts, frequently occurred near preosteoblasts. Osseointegration around the implants was obtained in this model by 28 days post‐implantation except for the lateral area with complete contact with implants, where the thin layer remained in contact with the implant surface.Conclusions: These findings indicate that ossification proceeds at different modes around the titanium implant in rat maxilla, depending on the nature of the recipient bones and the dimension of the gap between the implant and osteotomy margin. J Periodontol 2000;71:287‐298.

Adult stem cells have the capacity to self-renew and differentiate along multiple lineages in addition to contributing to ongoing tissue maintenance and regeneration after injury. They reside in specific locations called stem cell niches. In biology of the tooth, the discovery of dental epithelial stem cells in continuously growing teeth has been a recent breakthrough. The niche for the adult stem cells of these teeth is formed at the region of the apical end in tooth development. The region possesces a commonly specialized histological structure for the maintenance of adult stem cells and the production of various progenitor cells producing dental tissues. The molecular signals regulating the maintenance and cell fate decision of adult stem cells, such as Notch1, Lunatic fringe, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-10, are expressed in the epithelial structure and the surrounding mesenchyme. Based on histological and molecular biological studies, we propose a new concept that the eternal tooth buds producing various dental progeny are formed at the apical end in the development of continuously growing teeth, and coin a new term of “apical bud” for indicating this specialized epithelial structure. Furthermore, the relationship between signaling centers and the expression of FGF-10 mRNA as the determinant of morphogenesis is discussed with an emphasis on tooth and limb development, taking note that the expression pattern of FGF-10 is an important key for understanding the mechanisms for the diversity of cusp patterns and between continuous and limited growth.