Which of the following is NOT a factor accommodated by posteruptive movements?

• A. Growing jaw
• B. Occlusal wear
• C. Interproximal wear
• D. Root resorption of adjacent tooth

Answer: (D)

Posteruptive movements describe how teeth keep adjusting after eruption in response to functional forces and growth. As the jaws grow, there is more space and the arch dimensions change, so teeth can drift or settle into a stable alignment. Occlusal wear from chewing reduces the height of the biting surfaces, allowing teeth to move slightly to reestablish contacts and maintain a proper bite. Interproximal wear at the sides of adjacent teeth also loosens tight contacts, enabling minor shifts that help the teeth fit together as occlusion evolves. Root resorption of an adjacent tooth is not a mechanism that accommodates these movements; it would weaken a tooth and is not part of the normal posteruptive adaptation process.