The dental lamina is a band of epithelial tissue
seen in histologic sections of a developing tooth. Best described
as an ingrowth of ectomesenchyme tissue, the dental lamina is
frequently distinguished from the vestibular lamina, which develops
concurrently. When it is present, the dental lamina conects
the developing tooth bud to the epithelium of the oral cavity.
Eventually, the dental lamina disintigrates into small clusters
of epithelium and is resorbed. In situations when the clusters
are not resorbed, eruption cysts are formed over the developing
tooth and delay its eruption into the oral cavity.
