Building the Tooth Organ: Epithelial-Mesenchymal Signalling, Developmental Niches, and Regenerative Cues

Teeth arise through a highly coordinated dialogue between epithelial and mesenchymal tissues, guided by signaling networks and mechanical inputs. This process is further modulated by local developmental niches, wherein maxillary and mandibular mesenchymal cell aggregates, together with neural, endothelial, and immune cell populations, exert essential regulatory functions. This Research Topic will bring together studies that explore how these interactions shape tooth initiation, morphogenesis, cell fate decisions, and tooth renewal across development and regeneration.We welcome contributions investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing odontogenesis, including studies on dental epithelial–mesenchymal interactions, dental papilla and follicle lineage specification, successional dental lamina biology, extracellular matrix remodeling, and multilevel regulatory programs imposed by developmental niches. We also see strong relevance for studies on stem and progenitor cell populations, spatial and temporal gene regulation, multi-omics approaches, and experimental model systems that deepen our understanding of tooth development and help move the field toward functional dental regeneration. Both fundamental and translational studies would fit well within this scope. Topic editors: Xiaoshan Wu, Jiahui Du Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81539/building-the-tooth-organ-epithelial-mesenchymal-signalling-developmental-niches-and-regenerative-cues