Dental papilla facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dental papilla
Vertical section of the mandible of an early human fetus. × 25. (Dental papilla labeled at center right.)
Histologic slide showing a tooth bud. A: enamel organ B: dental papilla C: dental follicle
Latin	papilla dentis

The dental papilla is a condensation of ectomesenchymal cells called odontoblasts, seen in histologic sections of a developing tooth. It lies below a cellular aggregation known as the enamel organ. The dental papilla appears after 8–10 weeks of intra uteral life. The dental papilla gives rise to the dentin and pulp of a tooth.

The enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental follicle together forms one unit, called the tooth germ. This is of importance because all the tissues of a tooth and its supporting structures form from these distinct cellular aggregations. Similar to dental follicle, the dental papilla has a very rich blood supply and provides nutrition to the enamel organ.