The following events take place during the formation of the crown: First, the inner dental epithelium of the enamel organ differentiates into non-secretory ameloblasts. Second, these ameloblasts trigger the differentiation of odontoblasts from the connective tissue of the pulp, which starts the production of dentin. Third, the early deposition of dentin precedes and seemingly triggers the formation of enamel by the ameloblasts.

The formation of the root is initiated by the downgrowth of the epithelial root sheath at the surface of the tooth pulp. This root sheath initiates the differentiation of odontoblasts from the connective tissue papilla. These odontoblasts start the deposition of dentin, while the cells of the epithelial root sheath, in the absence of secretory ameloblasts, stop the production of enamel.