If eruption is prevented, will the root still grow?

• A. Yes, it will grow normally
• B. No, it stops
• C. Yes, but at the expense of apical bone resorption
• D. No, root resorption occurs instead

Answer: (C)

Root growth continues after crown formation because root dentin is laid down by odontoblasts under the guidance of the root sheath, and this process proceeds independently of eruption. Eruption moves the tooth into the mouth through coordinated bone remodeling, but it isn’t required for the root to lengthen. If eruption is prevented, the root can still elongate, and the surrounding alveolar bone at the apex responds by resorbing to create space for that continued root growth. So you get continued root elongation, with apical bone resorption helping accommodate the longer root.