What is the correct term for a tooth that remains below the gum line and has not emerged into the oral cavity?

What is the correct term for a tooth that remains below the gum line and has not emerged into the oral cavity?

• A. Erupted
• B. Retained
• C. Unerupted
• D. Impacted

Answer: (C)

Eruption status describes whether a tooth has come into the mouth. When a tooth has not yet come into the oral cavity, it is described as unerupted. It simply means the tooth is still developing or located within the jaw and gum and has not emerged. An erupted tooth has already appeared in the mouth. An impacted tooth is a special case of being unerupted where eruption is blocked by bone or another tooth, often requiring intervention. Retained usually refers to a tooth that remains in the mouth after its normal time for eruption (such as a deciduous tooth that should have fallen out). So, for a tooth that stays below the gum line and has not emerged, unerupted is the correct term.

Eruption status describes whether a tooth has come into the mouth. When a tooth has not yet come into the oral cavity, it is described as unerupted. It simply means the tooth is still developing or located within the jaw and gum and has not emerged. An erupted tooth has already appeared in the mouth. An impacted tooth is a special case of being unerupted where eruption is blocked by bone or another tooth, often requiring intervention. Retained usually refers to a tooth that remains in the mouth after its normal time for eruption (such as a deciduous tooth that should have fallen out). So, for a tooth that stays below the gum line and has not emerged, unerupted is the correct term.