Abstract:
Recent findings indicate that there could be continued
root development after the successful surgical removal
of an impacted tooth. The paper provides a brief review
of normal root development, emphasizing the chain of
reciprocal epithelial–ectomesenchymal interactions which
regulate all aspects of this process.
Mineralized dental structures are not an absolute
requirement for tooth root development, but residual
fragments of Hertwig’s epithelial root sheath (HERS),
together with the associated ectomesenchymal cells,
will enable continued growth. The findings presented
in this paper have significant implications in forensic
odontology, dental litigation and for routine and elective
tooth extractions.
