Homoeostasis depends on the close connection and intimate molecular exchange between extracellular, intracellular and intercellular networks. Intercellular communication is largely mediated by gap junctions (GJs), a type of specialized membrane contact composed of variable number of channels that enable direct communication between cells by allowing small molecules to pass directly into the cytoplasm of neighbouring cells. Although considerable evidence indicates that gap junctions contribute to the functions of many organs, such as the bone, intestine, kidney, heart, brain and nerve, less is known about their role in oral development and disease. In this review, the current progress in understanding the background of connexins and the functions of gap junctions in oral development and diseases is discussed. The homoeostasis of tooth and periodontal tissues, normal tooth and maxillofacial development, saliva secretion and the integrity of the oral mucosa depend on the proper function of gap junctions. Knowledge of this pattern of cell–cell communication is required for a better understanding of oral diseases. With the ever-increasing understanding of connexins in oral diseases, therapeutic strategies could be developed to target these membrane channels in various oral diseases and maxillofacial dysplasia.

止血取决于细胞外，细胞内和细胞间网络之间的紧密联系和紧密的分子交换。细胞间通讯主要由间隙连接（GJ）介导，间隙连接是一种特殊的膜接触，由可变数量的通道组成，通过允许小分子直接进入相邻细胞的细胞质，从而使细胞之间可以直接通讯。尽管大量证据表明，间隙连接促进了许多器官的功能，例如骨骼，肠，肾，心脏，大脑和神经，但人们对它们在口腔发育和疾病中的作用了解较少。在这篇综述中，讨论了在了解连接蛋白的背景以及间隙连接在口腔发育和疾病中的功能方面的最新进展。牙齿和牙周组织的稳态，正常的牙齿和颌面发育，唾液分泌和口腔粘膜的完整性取决于间隙连接的适当功能。为了更好地了解口腔疾病，需要了解这种细胞间通信模式。随着对口腔疾病中连接蛋白的日益深入的了解，可以开发针对这些膜通道在各种口腔疾病和颌面部发育不良中的治疗策略。