Collagen responsible for tooth eruption? A study of the eruption of rat incisors.

The rate of turnover of collagen in periodontal ligament (PDL) is closely associated with the process of tooth eruption and tissue adaptation allowing good anchorage of the tooth within the socket. Collagen may even be associated with orthodontic relapse. As the collagen protein seems to play a key role in tooth eruption, the investigation concentrated on the presence and maturation of collagen and its possible function in the process of tooth eruption.