Tooth eruption is a continuous process involving three phases - preeruptive, eruptive, and posteruptive. During the eruptive phase, teeth emerge through the gums in four stages: root formation, movement, penetration, and occlusal contact. Primary teeth are eventually shed and replaced by permanent teeth during the transition from primary to mixed to permanent dentition. Tooth eruption involves constant movement of developing crowns, root formation, bone remodeling by the dental follicle, and traction from the periodontal ligament. Posteruptive movement further accommodates jaw growth and compensates for tooth wear through alveolar bone formation.