Abstract:
A thorough understanding of recent advancements
regarding the molecular interactions responsible for tooth
eruption is indispensable to all dental specialties and may
provide insight for treating clinical eruption disorders. The
biological processes responsible for tooth eruption have
long been a matter of debate. Several types of cells of
dental origin and numerous molecular factors that were
believed to be responsible for this process have repeatedly
been considered and investigated. Most existing eruption
theories have concentrated on selective cells or processes
as the sole generating forces of tooth eruption. This article
reviews previously proposed eruption theories, in the
light of significant advances in the understanding that the
sequential interactions between dental epithelium and
ectomesenchymal cells pattern the initiating cascade of
the eruption process. These findings are presented in the
context of tooth development within the milieu of a changing
bony socket. Understanding the process of tooth eruption
in this framework points to the fact that tooth eruption is
essentially a stage of tooth development which, through
selective resorption and deposition of bone, allows the
developing tooth to be displaced through the alveolar bone
to its position of function in the oral cavity.
