牙发育( tooth development )是一个长期复杂的连续过程,从胚胎生长期开始,一直持续到出生以后。期间经历了发育启动( initiation ) 、细胞增殖( cell proliferation ) 、形态分化( morphodifferentiation ) 、组织分化( histodifferentiation ) 、基质沉积( matrix deposition ) 、基质钙化成熟( calcification and maturation )和牙萌出( tooth eruption ......