1. Bud stage (eight weeks in utero)

The bud stage is the beginning of the development of each tooth. This starts with the formation of the dental lamina (a sheet of epithelial cells following the curves of the gums), which produces ten enlargements in each arch – these are the tooth buds. The tooth buds for the permanent teeth (which develop in a deeper part of the dental lamina) begin to form after 24 weeks in utero.