title: Video microscope observations of human premolar eruption.
abstract: It is now possible to observe with an accuracy of 1-2 microns the pattern of eruptive movements of a human premolar as it moves from gingival emergence to the occlusal plane. This was accomplished by use of a video microscope to track the position of an optical ruling on the erupting tooth relative to a reference ruling mounted on adjacent teeth that were in occlusion. Net eruptive movements averaging 25-75 microns occurred from one day to the next until the tooth was almost in occlusion; then the eruptive rate slowed. Eruption occurred almost entirely at night. During the day, there was a marked slowing or cessation of eruption and often intrusion, which appeared to be related to masticatory activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7450.
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Proffit
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Prewitt
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Baik
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D001732:Bite Force; D002648:Child; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D014078:Tooth Eruption / Q000502:physiology*; D014741:Video Recording / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods