Shedding of Deciduous Teeth

What is the normal physiological process called that results in the elimination of deciduous teeth?

Why is the shedding of deciduous teeth necessary?

At what age does the emergence of the first permanent tooth occur?

What is the primary reason for the loss of deciduous teeth?

Which of the following is responsible for resorbing bone?

What is the pattern of resorption of deciduous teeth in anterior teeth?

What is the role of the odontoclast in the shedding of deciduous teeth?

In which gender does the process of shedding commence earlier?

What is the first step in the shedding of teeth?

What is the function of osteoclasts?

What is the origin of odontoclasts?

What is the process of resorption in dentin carried out by?

What is resorbed by fibroclasts?

What is the term for the process where osteoclasts resorb hard tissue?

What is the characteristic feature of osteoclasts?

What is the site where resorption occurs in osteoclasts?

Shedding of Teeth

Shedding, or exfoliation, is the normal physiological process resulting in the elimination of deciduous teeth.
The loss of deciduous teeth is mainly due to the resorption of their roots.

Need of Shedding

The jaw grows as the child grows, but the deciduous teeth cannot.
The muscle of mastication increases in size and power of contraction, which the PDL of deciduous teeth cannot withstand.
Shedding of deciduous teeth and replacement by larger permanent teeth is necessary.

Rules of "Sixes" in Dental Development

6 weeks old in utero: beginning of dental development
6 months old: emergence of the first primary tooth
6 years old: emergence of the first permanent tooth

Mechanism of Shedding

Pressure of the succeeding permanent teeth
Increase in force of mastication
Action of odontoclast (cementoclast for the cementum and dentinoclast for the dentin)
Action of osteoclast, which resorbs bone
PDL is resorbed by fibroclast

Pattern of Shedding

Anterior teeth: Resorption of deciduous teeth starts from the lingual side.
Later developing teeth occupy a position directly apical to deciduous teeth.
Posterior teeth: The resorption of deciduous teeth begins on the inner surface of the roots of molars.

Cells Responsible for Shedding

Osteoclast: bone-resorbing cells derived from the monocyte-macrophage lineage, responsible for hard tissue resorption.
Odontoclast: responsible for resorption of all dental hard tissue, including enamel, derived from circulating monocytes.
Fibroclast/Fibroblast: responsible for PDL resorption.

Learn about the normal physiological process of shedding or exfoliation of deciduous teeth. Understand the reasons behind this process and its relation to jaw growth and muscle development. Test your knowledge with this quiz!