American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam

Osteopetrosis, also known as marble bone disease, results from an increase in bone density caused by abnormal osteoclast function, leading to impaired bone resorption. This condition can significantly affect the dental outcomes in patients.

In the context of tooth eruption, the increase in bone density in osteopetrosis can lead to delayed tooth eruption. The dense bone creates a more challenging environment for teeth to break through the gum tissue, ultimately prolonging the time it takes for both primary and permanent teeth to erupt. Patients with osteopetrosis often show a visible delay in the normal sequence of tooth eruption, impacting their overall dental development.

To contrast, conditions that lead to accelerated tooth eruption typically involve pathologies that either stimulate the eruption process or reduce the resistance from surrounding tissues. Normal tooth eruption follows the expected timeline without significant disruptions, and selective tooth loss refers to conditions where specific teeth are lost due to various causes, which is not a direct consequence of osteopetrosis.

Therefore, the association of osteopetrosis with delayed tooth eruption is rooted in its pathophysiological effects on bone density and oral structural changes.