What is the primary function of the dental sac?

The primary function of the dental sac, also known as the dental follicle, is indeed the formation of cementum and the periodontal ligament. The dental sac is a critical structure during tooth development, providing the necessary cellular components that contribute to the formation of these supporting tissues.

Cementum is a specialized bony substance covering the roots of teeth, essential for anchoring the tooth within the jawbone. The periodontal ligament attaches the tooth to the surrounding alveolar bone, playing a vital role in tooth stability, sensory function, and shock absorption. The dental sac contains progenitor cells that differentiate into cementoblasts, which produce cementum, and fibroblasts, which form the periodontal ligament.

In contrast, enamel production is primarily the responsibility of ameloblasts, which are found in the enamel organ rather than the dental sac. The support for the tooth bud, while a function of the dental sac, is secondary to its role in forming the structures that will sustain the tooth once it erupts. Dentin formation is carried out by odontoblasts in the dental papilla, which is separate from the dental sac's responsibilities. Therefore, the role of the dental sac is specifically associated with the development of cementum and the periodontal ligament, making this the