COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY
ORAL BIOLOGY [113 MDS]
DEPARTMENT OF MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY & DIAGNOSTIC SCIENCES
[MDS]
STUDY GUIDE
Message from the Dean
Assalamualaikumwarahamatullahiwabarakatahu
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the College of Dentistry - Zulfi at Majmaah University,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. College of Dentistry aims to improve the dental health of the
people in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through providing the students with excellent clinical
training, supporting research and learning environment. Towards this goal the Department of
Maxillofacial Surgery &Diagnostic Sciences has prepared a course handbook in Oral Biology
for the benefit of the students.
I have read this handbook and would like to assure you that the team has done an
excellent job in addressing all the questions a student will have at the start of the course. This
handbook also contains all the schedule of lectures and practical classes. I would like to
congratulate the team for coming up with this handbook.
I am happyto be the Dean of the College of Dentistry and I am sure that the assurance
from the dedication of our energetic and benevolent faculty and staff prompts you to be
skilled and knowledgeable in attaining high standard of education.
Best wishes
Dr. AbdurRahman Al Atram
2
Message from the members of the committee
Dear Students,
We are delighted to welcome you to the course of Oral Biology. This is a
basic course which you will be studying in your first year; this course
handbook will inform and update you about the various topics to be covered
in both the first and second semester.
The topics covered in this module are highly relevant and have clinical
implications which will be of great help in your professional life. This subject
is one of the very important foundation courses in dentistry and based on
these fundamental principles you will progress on to become a good dental
surgeon. Hence we the committee suggest you to use this handbook to prepare
yourself during the course and gain maximum benefit.
Best wishes & Good luck
3
APPROVAL FOR THE COURSE
This course has been reviewed, revised and approved by:



The Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences
College Curriculum Committee
College Council
4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No
1
Message from the Dean
2
2
Message from the members of the committee
3
3
Approval of the course
4
4
General course information
6
5
Course description
7
6
General course objectives
8
7
Course contents
9
8
Detailed objectives
14
10
Student expected study hours and student support
21
11
12
13
14
22
Teaching and learning resources
Facilities required
24
Students Assessment
25
Course Evaluation & Improvement process
5
28
GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title
Course Code
Course
components&Credit
hours
Oral Biology
113 MDS
Theory
Practical
Total
First semester
1
0
1
Second semester
1
1
2
Prerequisites
None
Co-requisites
General Anatomy, histology and embryology (ANA 113)
Year / Level
1st yearcontinous course in 1st and 2ndsemester
6
COURSE DESCRIPTION
It is a one-year course, given as a one hour lecture in the 1st semester and one lecture and one
practical session in the 2nd semester of the same year. Oral Biology course comprises
instructions in the principles of oral anatomy and embryology, oral histology, and oral
Physiology.
Oral biology is one of the most important
courses in dentistry. Development of face, oral
cavity and related structures is covered in this
course, thiscourse covers in detail the formation and
structure of all the tissues of the tooth; namely
Enamel, Dentin, Pulp and Cementum. In addition
this course also covers the supporting tissues of the
teeth like periodontal ligament, alveolar bone,
salivary glands and maxillary sinus.
The fields of oral biology, oral embryology and oral histology are of utmost importance
in the study of dental practice. This basic knowledge about the normal structure and formation
of the various structures of the maxillofacial region is very important to understand the
pathogenesis of various diseases and their treatment.
7
GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To learn how the jaws, face and oral structures develop and interact during embryogenesis.
2. To acquire the comprehensive knowledge related to the different stages of tooth
development including development of enamel, dentine-pulp system and periodontium.
3. To recognize the role of deciduous teeth and their structures in the development of
permanent teeth.
4. To recognize the importance of reciprocal tissue interaction in tooth development.
5. To study the structure of dental, oral and relevant extraoral tissues in-depth.
6. To identify the significance of studying oral and maxillofacial histology for clinical dental
practice.
7. To recognize how learning normal tissue structures is important for micro- and macroscopic
identification of abnormal pathological conditions.
8
COURSE CONTENTS:
A - Lectures: 1st semester (14 lectures)
Theme I – embryology & development of maxillofacial structures (14 lectures)
Lecture List of topic
no
1
Oral Biology
Introduction
2
3
4
5-6
8
9-10
11
Early
development
& Germ layers
Notochord
Pharyngeal
Arches
Development
of Face
Development
of Tongue &
Palate
Development
of Tooth
Amelogenesis
and life cycle
of ameloblasts
Detailed content
Overview of oral biology
Importance of the subject
Outline of the topics to be covered in
the course
Introduction
Morula, gastrula
Development of germ layers
Formation of primitive streak
Introduction
Functions
Fate
Neural circulation
Neural crest cells
Introduction
Formation of arches
Derivatives of each arch
There relation to each other
Introduction
Development of early face
Development of eye
Development of ear
Development of lip
Introduction
Development of tongue
Development of palate
Anomalies
Anatomical considerations
Functions of tongue
Introduction
Stages of tooth formation
Root development
Reciprocal induction
Clinical implications
Introduction
Origin
Stages of amelogenesis
Life cycle of ameloblasts
9
No of
weeks
Contact
hours
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
12 -13
14
Enamel
Differences
between
deciduous and
permanent
teeth
Introduction
Physical & chemical properties
Structure
Clinical aspects
General Aspects
Morphologic differences
Histologic differences
Importance
2
2
1
1
No of
weeks
Contact
hours
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
B. lectures 2nd semester (13 lectures)
Theme II – Hard and Soft tissues of the tooth ( 4lectures)
Lecture
no
1
2
3
4
List of topic
Dentinogenesis
& Dentin
Dentin
Dental pulp
Cementum
Detailed content
Introduction
Origin
Stages of dentinogenesis
Types of Dentin
Introduction
Physical & chemical properties
Structure
Theories of dentin hypersensitivity
Clinical aspects
Introduction
Zones of pulp
Functions
Age changes
Introduction
Physical & chemical properties
Structure
Types of cementum
Types of cementoenamel junction
Clinical aspects
10
Theme II – Investing and supporting structures of the tooth (5 lectures)
Lecture
no
5
6
7-9
List of topic
Detailed content
Periodontal
ligament
Introduction
Contents of periodontal ligament
Principal fibres
Functions
Clinical implications
Introduction
Structure
Classification
Alveolar bone functions
Alveolar bone
Oral mucous
membrane
Introduction
Classification
Subdivisions of mucous membrane
Specialized mucosa
Dentogingival junction
Passive eruption
No of
weeks
Contact
hours
1
1
1
1
3
3
Theme IV – Miscellaneous topics (4 lectures)
11-12
13
14
List of topic
Detailed content
Salivary
gland
Introduction
Major & minor salivary gland
Types of acini
Types of cells
Ducts of salivary gland
Functions of saliva
Introduction
Movments of teeth
Theories of eruption
Mechanism of shedding
Odontoclasts
Applied aspects
Introduction
Anatomy
Histology
Functions
Clinical significance
Eruption and
shedding:
Maxillary
sinus
No of
weeks
11
Contact
hours
2
2
1
1
1
1
C – Practical (13)
Session
no
1
2
3-4
5
6
7
8
9-10
List of topic
Detailed content
Development
of tooth
Bud Stage
Cap Stage
Early bell stage
Advanced bell stage
Enamel
Dentin
Dental pulp
Cementum
Periodontal
ligament
Alveolar
bone
Oral mucous
membrane
No of
weeks
Enamel rods
Enamel lamellae
Enamel tufts
Enamel spindles
Straie of retzius
Gnarled enamel
Hunter schregger bands
Dentinoenamel junction
‘s’ shaped dentinal tubules
Secondary dentin
Interglobular dentin
Tertiary dentin
Dead tracts
Sclerotic dentin
Intertubular and peritubular dentin
Tomes granular layer
Zones of pulp
Pulp stones
Cellular cementum
Acellularcementum
Cement enamel junction – gap type
Cement enamel junction – sharp type
Cement enamel junction – overlap type
Principal fibres
Sharpeysfibres
Bundle bone
Cancellous bone
Reversal & resting lines
Orthokeratinized stratified squamous
epithelium
Parakeratinized stratified squamous
epithelium
Non keratinized stratified squamous
12
Credit
hours
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
epithelium
Vermilion border of lip
Filliform papillae
Fungiform papillae
Circumvallate papillae
11
12-13
13
Salivary
gland
Serous salivary gland
Mucous salivary gland
Mixed salivary gland
Eruption &
Shedding
Deciduous cast
Mixed dentition cast
Permanent dentition cast
Lining of Maxillary sinus
Maxillary
sinus
13
1
1
2
2
1
1
DETAILED OBJECTIVES OF THE CONTENTS:
LECTURES
Semester 1
Lecture 1: Oral Biology Introduction
At the end of the lecture student should be able to –
 To enumerate the topics to be covered in the course
 To understand and explain the importance of the course
 To enlist the books used as learning resources in the course
Lecture 2: Early Development & Germ layer
At the end of the lecture student should be able to –
 To understand the formation of embryo
 To enumerate the germ layers and explain their formation
 T enumerate the steps in formation of primitive streak
Lecture 3: Notochord
At the end of the lecture student should be able to –
 To describe what is notochord
 To explain the process of formation of neural tube
 To understand and explain the formation of neural crest cells
Lecture 4: Brachial Arches
At the end of the lecture student should be able to –
 To describe the brachial arches
 To enlist the structures derived from each arch
 To understand and explain the formation of structures related to maxillofacial region.
Lecture 5-6: Development of Face
At the end of the lecture student should be able to –
 To enumerate processes which start the development of face
 To understand and explain the sequence of events which lead to the development of face
 To describe in detail the various interactions and fusion between various arches
 To explain the formation of various structures of the face
14
Lecture 7-8: Development of Tongueand Palate
At the end of the lecture student should be able to –
 To describe & explain the sequence of events which lead to theformation of tongue & palate
 To explain the process of formation of tongue & Palate
 To enumeratethe various anomalies associated with development of tongue & Palate
Lecture 9-10: Development of tooth
At the end of the lecture student should be able to –
 To describe & explain the sequence of events which lead to theformation of dental lamina
 To explain the process of formation of dental lamina
 To enumerate& explainthe various stages of tooth development
 Explain in detail root formation.
Lecture 11: Amelogenesis& life cycle of ameloblasts
At the end of the lecture student should be able to –
 To trace the origin of ameloblasts and describe their differentiation.
 To enumerate and describe in detail the stages in life cycle of ameloblasts.
 To enumerate and narrate the stages of amelogenesis.
 To correlate between the stages of life cycle of ameloblasts and the various stages of
amelogenesis
Lecture 12-13: Enamel
At the end of the lecture student should be able –
 To enlist the chemical & physical properties of enamel
 To describe the microscopic and ultramicroscopic features of enamel
 To enumerate and describe the various hypomineralized structures of enamel
 To identify the various alterations in normal structure of enamel
 To correlate the process of amelogenesis with various anamolies of enamel
Lecture 14: Differences between deciduous and permanent teeth.
At the end of the lecture student should be able –
 To enumerate the general differences between permanent and deciduous dentition
 To differentiate between the two dentitions based on morphology
 To enumerate the histological differences between permanent and deciduous dentition
 To understand these differences and their clinical implications
15
Semester 2
Lecture 1: Dentinogenesis& Dentin
At the end of the lecture student should be able –
 To trace the origin of odontoblasts and describe their differentiation.
 To describe the role of ameloblasts in formation of dentin.
 To enumerate and narrate the stages of dentinogenesis.
 To classify and differentiate between the different types of dentin.
Lecture 2: Dentin
At the end of the lecture student should be able To describe the chemical & physical properties of dentin
 To identify the various types of dentin and their function
 To identify and describe the formation of dead tracts, sclerotic dentin etc.
 To understand and explain the interrelation between dentin and pulp
Lecture 3: Dental pulp
At the end of the lecture student should be able To describe the location and structure of pulp
 To identify the layers of pulp and their importance.
 To enumerate in detail the functions of pulp.
 To identify the age changes of pulp and its clinical implications.
 To enumerate and describe the theories of dentin hypersensitivity
Lecture 4: Cementum
At the end of the lecture student should be able To trace the origin of cementoblasts and their role in root formation.
 To identify the various types of cementum and their location
 To enumerate the types of cementoenamel junction and their clinical importance
 To describe the functions of cementum
Lecture 5: Periodontal Ligament
At the end of the lecture student should be able To trace the origin of periodontal ligament from dental sac.
 To enumerate and describe the components of PDL
16



To identify and describe the various groups of principal fibres
To know the functions of PDL
To understand and describe the homeostasis of peridontium and the role of PDL in it.
Lecture 6: Alveolar bone
At the end of the lecture student should be able To describe the formation of alveolar bone
 To give a detailed picture of the structure of alveolar bone
 To explain the internal reconstruction of bone
 To enumerate the functions and age changes seen in alveolar bone.
Lecture 7-9: Oral mucous membrane
At the end of the lecture student should be able To classify and identify the divisions of the oral mucous membrane.
 To differentiate between different types of mucosa and epithelium
 To understand and describe the structure of oral mucous membrane
 To identify the variations in the mucosa based on its location and its clinical implications
 To identify and understand the specialized mucosa in detail
 To describe the structure and location of taste buds.
 To understand the mechanism and importance of dentogingival junction and describe its
structure and clinical implications.
 To differentiate between passive eruption and actve eruption and describe the stages of passive
eruption.
Lecture 10 -11: Salivary gland
At the end of the lecture student should be able




To identify and classify the salivary glands
To describe in detail the microscopic structure of various glands
To differentiate between serous, mucous and mixed acinus
To identify and describe myoepithelial cells
To understand and describe the ductal system of salivary glands.
Lecture 12: Eruption & Shedding
At the end of the lecture student should be able-
17






To understand and correlate the need for two dentitions
To identify and trace the cell responsible for tooth resorption.
To identify and describe the pre and post eruptive tooth movements
To enumerate and describe the various theories of tooth eruption along with their merits and
demerits
To know and remember the chronology and sequence of tooth eruption and its clinical
importance.
To estimate the dental age of a given individual
Lecture 13: Maxillary sinus
At the end of the lecture student should be able To describe the structure and location of maxillary sinus
 To identify and understand the functions of maxillary sinus
 To identify the microscopic features of maxillary sinus
 To understand and describe the close relation of this sinus with the maxillary teeth and its
clinical implications.
PRACTICALS
During the practical the studentshave to identify microscopic slides of the particular topic
and also answer the questions given in their practical manual.
Semester 2
Theme I – Hard and Soft tissues of the Tooth.
Practical 1: Development of tooth
At the end of the practical session the student should be able to




Identify the slides of stages of tooth development
Identify and enumerate the layers of enamel organ
Identify the cell rests of mallasez
Identify the cell rests of serres
Practical 2: Enamel
At the end of the practical session the student should be able to


Identify the slides of ground sections of enamel.
Identify and enumerate the hypomineralized structures of enamel
18


Identify the striae of retzius
Identify & explain the importance of Gnarled enamel
Practical 3-4: Dentin
At the end of the practical session the student should be able to




Identify the slides of ground sections of dentin.
Identify and enumerate the types of dentin.
Identify the dead tracts and explain their importance
Identify the Tomes granular layer
Practical 5: Dental pulp
At the end of the practical session the student should be able to
 Identify the various zones of pulp
 Identify the pulp stones and enumerate the age changes of pulp.
Practical 6: Cementum
At the end of the practical session the student should be able to



Identify the slides of ground sections of cementum.
Identify and differentiate between the types of cementum.
Identify and differentiate between the types of cementoenamel junctions.
Practical 7: Periodontal ligament
At the end of the practical session the student should be able to



Identify the slides of principal fibres of periodontal ligament.
Identify and enumerate the gingival fibres.
Identify and explain Sharpeysfibres.
Practical 8: Alveolar bone
At the end of the practical session the student should be able to




Identify the slides of different types of bone.
Identify and differentiate betweenosteoblast and osteoclasts.
Identify sharpeysfibres within the bundle bone
Identify and explain the formation of reversal line & resting line.
19
Practical 9-10: Oral Mucous Membrane
At the end of the practical session the student should be able to





Identify the slides of oral mucous membrane
Identify and differentiate between the types of epithelium.
Identify and differentiate between the types of papillae.
Identify and explain the structure of taste buds
Identify and explain the structure of vermillion border of lip.
Practical 11: Salivary Glands
At the end of the practical session the student should be able to
 Identify the slides of salivary gland
 Identify and differentiate between the types of acini.
 Identify and differentiate between the types of ducts.
 Identify and explain the structure of serous demilune
Practical 12-13: Eruption of teeth:
At the end of the practical session the student should be able to




Identify the dental casts of various types of dentition.
Identify each tooth in a given cast
Estimate the dental age of the given cast
Write the tooth notation for all the teeth present in the cast.
.
Practical 13: Maxillary Sinus
At the end of the practical session the student should be able to


Identify the slides of maxillary sinus
Identify and explain the importance of the lining of maxillary sinus
20
Student additional private study hours per week & student support:
In Additional to the credit hours in the college hours the student is expected to put in 5hours of private
study/learning hours per week. (This is an average for the semester not a specific requirement in each
week).
The students are encouraged to interact with the tutors of the course for any additional help required
during the course. The staff members are instructed to inform the students regarding the office hours
when they can approach the faculty for their help
After each class the faculty member allocates a few minutes to clear the doubts of the students if
needed
The power point presentation of each class is uploaded on the faculty members website from where
the students can easily retrieve it and come prepared for the lecture.
Group of three students are allotted to one faculty member, who is their mentor, the students can even
approach their respective mentors if they have any additional problems with the subject.
21
Teaching and learning resources:
Students will be shown power point presentations, quiz, and essay competition. During the practicals
students will be shown microscopic slides, models and casts to give them in depth knowledge and
understanding of the subject.
Use of more teaching aids during classes with special emphasis on the applied aspects of the structures,
impromptu questions asked during the class would also aid in developing cognitive skills. In addition we
would design quizzes and assignments in such a way that the students would have to correlate the various
topics and information given to them.
The students will be asked oral questions, debates, group discussions group tasks will be designed so that
the students learn to interact with their batchmates. In addition project work will be assigned to small
groups so that they learn to take up the responsibility and complete it.
Recommended text books:
Required Textbook
OrbansOral Histology &Embryology; 13th Edition.
Author - G. S. Kumar; Publisher - Elsevier
Textbook
Tencate’s Oral Histology
Author - Antonio Nanci; Publisher – Elsevier
22
Reference book
Essentials of Oral Histology and Embryology – A clinical approach
Author – James Avery; publisher - Elsevier
Recommended books
Textbook of Embryology
Author -Keithmore.
Text book of human embryology
Author – I. B. Singh
Website
www.teleoralpathology.com
Lab guide
Manual of Oral histology & Oral pathology
Author – Maji Jose; Publisher – CBS
23
Facilities Required:
Theory:
1. A class room with a seating capacity of 30 students, equipped with a projector and smart board.
Practical:
1.
A well equippedlaboratory with microscopes for conduction of practicals. Microscope with
an attached camera for projection and discussion of microscopic slides.
2. Microscopic slides and dental casts
24
Student Assessment:
Evaluation & assessment of students:
By Oral and Written examination, periodic assessment through assignments, evaluation of the projects
and group tasks.
Assessment of student communication skills will be through the seminars and term papers.
The oral skills will be tested in the oral exams.
1st Semester
Assessment tools
In course assessments
60%
Final Written Exam
40%
Total
100%
Midterm exam
Behavior
Research
Presentation
Quiz
Written
General
Activity
Oral
Written
40%
5%
5%
5%
5%
2nd Semester
Assessment tools
In course assessments
60%
Final Written Exam
25%
Final Exam Practical
15%
Total
100%
Midterm exam
Midterm exam
practical
Behavior
Research
Presentation
Quiz
Weekly
assessment
Written
Identification of slides
and models
General
20%
15%
Oral
Written
5%
4%
4%
2%
Oral
10%
Activity
Written
Identification of slides
and models
The final marks obtained for the course will be decided by taking 65% marks from second semester and
35% from 1st semester.
25
SEMINARS
A. Guidelines for seminar sessions:
1. One seminar per student is scheduled during the semester.
2. Duration of each seminar will be of 5 minutes.
3. The students will be given the topics for seminar atleast two weeks in advance. The topics
will be selected randomly by the students by a picking a slip (lottery method).
4. The student is expected to prepare a powerpoint presentation for the seminar. They can
take the help of a staff member in preparing themselves for the presentation.
5. After each sessiongroup discussion will be allowed.
6. The tutor (faculty member incharge) will give his comments and feed back about the
presentation.
7. All the students are expected to be present during the seminars and also prepare
themselves by reading about the topic of presentation so as to have an active and
productive group discussion.
B. Topics of Seminar
1. Physiologic and anatomic stages of tooth development
2. Life cycle of ameloblasts
3. Ultramicroscopic structure of enamel
4. Hypomineralized structures of enamel
5. Dentinogenesis& properties of dentin
6. Types of dentin and their function
7. Theories of dentin hypersensitivity
8. Layers of pulp and its functions
9. Age changes of pulp
10. Types of cementum
11. Types of cementoenamel junction
12. Principal fibres& cells of the periodontal ligament
13. Functions & homeostasis of periodontal ligament
14. Structure of alveolar bone
15. Classification and types of oral mucous membrane
16. Difference between keratinized and nonkeratinized epithelium
17. Specialized mucosa – taste buds
26
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
Dentogingival junction
Passive eruption
Classification and types of salivary glands
Difference between serous and mucous cells
Ducts of salivary glands
Pre and post eruptive movements of teeth
Theories of eruption
Reduced enamel epithelium
Osteoclast &odontoclast.
27
Course Evaluation and Improvement Process:
The students will be given a feedback form, which can be submitted to the course director or to the
dean which will help in improvement of the subject teaching.
The head of the department or the Dean has informal meetings with groups of students to discuss the
contents of the course, method of teaching to evaluate the course and the instructor.
Meetings will be conducted every week in the department to update the status of each student and the
difficulties felt by the colleague will be resolved accordingly. The dean randomly attends lectures to
assess the instructor. The power point presentation of each lecture is distributed to all the staff
members of the department for evaluation and suggestions for improvement.
Teachers will be subjected to go for upgradation of knowledge by attending the relevant conferences
and will be encouraged to carry on a self improvement.
Other staff members are invited to attend the seminar presentation of students to verify the standards
of student learning and their work.
28