Can a rootless tooth erupt?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only with external force
• D. Not unless there is root development

Answer: (A)

Eruption can begin before the tooth has a fully formed root. The crown can break through the bone and gingiva while root formation is still underway, and the tooth moves into position as root length develops afterward. Signals from the dental follicle coordinate bone remodeling to create the eruption pathway, and root growth actually helps push the tooth upward, but it isn’t required for eruption to start. That’s why a tooth can erupt even when it has no root yet, and the roots finish forming during or after eruption. External force isn’t needed, and the idea that there must be root development before eruption isn’t accurate.