Free Dental Hygiene Board Exam Sample Questions

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Your First Free Dental Hygiene Board Sample Question

During the cap stage of tooth development, which of the following structures eventually produces the dentin and the pulp of a tooth?

• A. Dental sac
• B. Enamel knot
• C. Enamel organ
• D. Dental papilla
• E. Dens in dente

Answer and Explanation

During the cap stage of tooth development, part of the ectomesenchyme deep to the bud condenses into a mass with the concavity of the cap of the enamel organ. This inner mass of ectomesenchyme is considered the dental papilla. It produces the future dentin and pulp for the inner part of the tooth. The dental papilla is originally derived from ectomesenchyme, which is derived from neural crest cells (NCCs). Thus, the dentin and pulp are of mesenchymal origin.

Did you get it right? The correct answer is: D

Incorrect Answer Explanations

Answer A: During the cap stage of tooth development, the remaining ectomesenchyme surrounding the outside of the cap of the enamel organ condenses into the dental sac (or dental follicle). This capsule-like sac eventually produces the periodontium, the supporting tissue types of the tooth, including the cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar process. The dental sac does not eventually produce the dentin and pulp of the tooth.

Answer B: During the cap stage of tooth development, the enamel knot is a localization of cells on the enamel organ. The innermost margin of the cap shape of the enamel organ orchestrates the future crown form of the tooth, such as the cusps. This occurs through nondividing cells in the enamel knot present in the region of the developing posterior teeth. The enamel knot does not eventually produce the dentin and pulp of the tooth.

Answer C: During the cap stage of tooth development, the enamel organ produces enamel on the outer surface of the crown of the tooth. The enamel organ does not eventually produce the dentin and pulp of the tooth.

Answer E: During the cap stage of tooth development, the enamel organ may abnormally invaginate by growing into the dental papilla, resulting in dens in dente (or dens invaginatus). It most commonly affects the permanent maxillary incisors, especially the lateral incisor, and may be associated with hereditary factors. A dens in dente does not eventually produce the dentin and pulp of the tooth.

Bottom Line

During the cap stage of tooth development, the dental papilla eventually produces the dentin and the pulp of a tooth.

For more information, see:

Fehrenbach M, Popowics T. Chapter 6: Tooth development and eruption. In: Illustrated Dental Embryology, Histology, and Anatomy. 4th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; 2016.

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