Which dental tissue loses its formative cells as it matures?

Enamel is the correct answer because it is the only dental tissue that loses its formative cells as it matures. During tooth development, enamel is formed by specialized cells called ameloblasts. Once the enamel is fully matured and reaches its final thickness, the ameloblasts are no longer present, leading to a lack of regenerative capacity for enamel. This characteristic is particularly important in dentistry, as it means any damage to enamel cannot be repaired through natural processes.

In contrast, other dental tissues like pulp, dentine, and cementum retain formative or reparative capabilities even after maturation. The dental pulp contains stem cells that can regenerate pulp tissue, dentine can be formed by odontoblasts which may remain active after tooth eruption, and cementum can be formed by cementoblasts that continue to exist in the periodontal ligament. Therefore, while enamel is a critical protective layer of teeth, its inability to regenerate makes it unique among dental tissues.