At this point, the enamel organ grows into a bell shape, and two events take place. First, cells of the enamel organ differentiate, meaning they change functions. Depending on their new function, they will fall into one of four cell groups:
- Inner enamel epithelium
- Outer enamel epithelium
- Stratum intermedium
- Stellate reticulum
Together, these cell groups work to develop the enamel layer of the tooth. During the second event in this stage, the enamel epithelium folds into the future shape of the tooth crown, and the dental lamina starts to break down.