THE MECHANISM OF TOOTH ERUPTION

Tooth eruption is an essential process for the survival of many differ ent species and although the movement of teeth into function has been the subject of extensive research there is no consensus as to the mech anisms involved. Recent understanding of the mechanisms of cell activa tion and regulation has widened the scope for further research at the molecular level. This paper reviews the evidence for an eruptive force , its direction and source. The relationships between the eruptive for ce and molecular mechanisms of cell activation remain to be determined .