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Passive Eruption — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModeratePhysiologyPassive EruptionMFDS Part 1

Which description best defines the physiological passive phase of tooth eruption?

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Correct answer: B — Apical migration of the gingival margin over the enamel toward the cementoenamel junction, exposing more of the anatomical crown

Passive eruption is the apical shift of the gingival margin and dentogingival attachment over the enamel toward the cementoenamel junction, progressively exposing more of the anatomical crown without constituting occlusal movement of the tooth. In contrast, option C describes active eruption: movement of the tooth through the alveolar bone into functional occlusion. Option A is pre-eruptive or intraosseous tooth movement, option E is root development, and option D is the root resorption that precedes exfoliation of a primary tooth. Failure of the normal passive phase leaves the gingival margin positioned too coronally on the anatomical crown and is termed altered passive eruption.

Reference: Lamichhane S, Humagain M, Thapa S, et al. Altered Passive Eruption among Patients Visiting Dental Outpatient Department in a Tertiary Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study. JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39356891/