A natural stage in which calcium crystals build up on the outer layer of the developing teeth. This layer calcifies into hardened tissue that covers the crowns, or top of the tooth, forming a hard covering called enamel. Dental calcification is a normal stage of development in the tooth bud, which begins in the human embryo. Any interruption to this process can cause enamel defects.
The process of calcium salt accumulation in the formation of teeth occurs. The initial set of teeth initiates the calcification process during the prenatal stage, specifically between three and six months of gestation. The hardening of permanent teeth, excluding the wisdom teeth, commences within the period spanning from birth to approximately four years of age.
Abnormal calcification can occur as a result of specific dental conditions. In the case of amelogenesis imperfecta, which is a disorder affecting tooth enamel, the teeth exhibit a thin and grooved outer layer due to incomplete calcification. Another factor leading to abnormal calcification is the absorption of excessive amounts of fluoride or certain medications, such as tetracycline, during pregnancy.