How do osteoclasts participate in tooth eruption?

• A. They cement the root.
• B. They resorb overlying bone to create eruption pathway under guidance from signals produced by the dental follicle.
• C. They secrete dentin matrix.
• D. They form enamel.

Answer: (B)

Osteoclasts help tooth eruption by resorbing the bone in front of the moving tooth, opening an eruption pathway. The dental follicle around the developing crown sends signals that recruit and activate osteoclasts at the eruption site, guiding where and when bone is dissolved so the tooth can progress into the mouth. This targeted bone resorption is what clears the route for the tooth to erupt.

Other processes are handled by different cells: cementoblasts lay down cementum on the root, odontoblasts secrete dentin, and ameloblasts form enamel.