In the late seventies of the previous century the culture conditions to grow rodent tooth germs in vitro in order to investigate de novo formation and mineralization of dentine and enamel, were improved. This tooth model was then used for basic studies of mineralization processes in enamel and dentine. A review on experiments aimed at elucidating the function of osteocalcin, the predominant non-collagenous protein found in all mineralising type I connective tissues, in dentine formation is presented. Studies with tooth organ cultures and analysis of osteocalcin-deficient mouse dentin failed to disclose a function of osteocalcin in dentin formation.