Figure 5: An overview of the mucosal epithelium influence on tooth formation. Drawing (a) illustrates an early primary tooth bud. The epithelium is colored red, mucous is colored green, and neuroepithelium is yellow. Note that the epithelial protrusion from the stem, that will form the permanent tooth bud, is formed from the same epithelium. (b) Shows the tooth crown with a half-formed root. The colors indicate the same tissues as in (a). Note that the follicle covering the crown is in its inner aspect formed by epithelium. Along the root appears Malassez's epithelium. (c) Represents an unstained section of an extracted root. The immunohistochemical reaction (in brown) indicates Malassez's epithelium covering the outer area of the root-close periodontal membrane. (d) An orthopantomogram from a mixed dentition. The red contours indicate the areas influenced by ectoderm