HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What is the final stage of tooth development known as?

1. Apposition

2. Mineralization

3. Cementogenesis

4. Organogenesis

The correct answer is: Apposition

The final stage of tooth development is known as apposition. This stage follows the stages of bud, cap, and bell, and involves the deposition of enamel and dentin. During apposition, the cells that contribute to forming the tooth, such as ameloblasts and odontoblasts, are actively secreting the necessary materials to build the structures of the tooth. This process ensures that the tooth reaches its final shape and size before entering into the next phase of development. While mineralization is an important process that occurs during tooth development, it refers specifically to the hardening of the enamel and dentin after they have been formed. Cementogenesis pertains to the formation of cementum, which is the material that covers the roots of the teeth, and organogenesis refers to the formation of organs, which is not specific to tooth development. Therefore, the correct identification of apposition highlights its critical role as the final stage in the overall tooth development process.