Where do the tooth germs move during preeruptive movement?

• A. Inward toward center
• B. Outward toward periphery
• C. Upward toward crown
• D. Downward toward root

Answer: (B)

Preeruptive movement describes how tooth germs reposition themselves inside the jawbone before eruption. They migrate outward toward the periphery of the alveolar process, a pattern that helps position the future crown under the deciduous teeth and aligned with the eruption pathway. This outward shift stems from the way the surrounding bone remodels and the developing teeth settle into their spaces. Moving inward toward the center or vertically toward the crown or root doesn’t reflect the observed lateral repositioning that occurs during this phase, which is why outward toward the periphery is the best choice.