Overeruption

Overeruption is a term used in dentistry to describe the physiological movement of a tooth lacking an opposing partner in the dental occlusion. Because of the lack of opposing force and the natural eruptive potential of the tooth there is a tendency for the tooth to erupt out of the line of the occlusion.

Overeruption can cause interferences in the occlusion and difficulty when constructing dentures. The alveolar bone typically overgrows, but root surfaces can be exposed to the oral environment increasing likelihood of dental caries.

See also Dahl effect.