11. Hemidesmosomes provide anchorage between cells through small filament-like structures provided by the remnants of ameloblasts . 12. This is because they are formed by entrapment of odontoblast processes between ameloblasts prior to and during amelogenesis. 13. Both ameloblasts ( the cells which initiate enamel formation ) and Tomes'processes affect the crystals'pattern. 14. Amelogenesis, or enamel formation, occurs after the first establishment of dentin, via cells known as ameloblasts . 15. In the maturation stage, the ameloblasts transport some of the substances used in enamel formation out of the enamel. 16. The ameloblasts will only become fully functional after the first layer of dentin ( predentin ) has been formed by odontoblasts. 17. These signs demonstrate that the ameloblasts have changed their function from production, as in the secretory stage, to transportation. 18. At some point before the tooth erupts into the mouth, but after the maturation stage, the ameloblasts are broken down. 19. Thus, the function of ameloblasts changes from enamel production, as occurs in the secretory stage, to transportation of substances. 20. Recent research suggests that BCL11B is crucial for ameloblasts ( the cells that produce tooth enamel ) to form and work properly.
