Fate map of the dental mesenchyme: Dynamic development of the dental papilla and follicle

► The dental mesenchyme is a highly dynamic structure during development of the tooth. ► At the bud stage mesenchymal cells adjacent to the forming primary enamel knot form both dental papilla and dental follicle. ► At the cap stage the dental papilla originates from a restricted population of highly proliferative dental mesenchymal. ► At the cap stage the dental mesenchyme follicle cells can form papilla specific cell types if given the correct signals. ► This information is essential for targeting the future dental pulp and odontoblasts at early stages.