The aim of the present publication is to provide a broad survey of the current concepts on the regulation of tooth eruption. There is increasing evidence that tooth eruption is a multifactorial process. The bone resorption occlusal to an erupting tooth is probably induced by the occlusal part of the follicle, and allows the tooth to erupt. The occlusal movement it self is likely to be regulated by a localized increase in tissue fluid pressure in the apical area. The bone deposition which is often observed apical to an erupting tooth is more likely to be a reaction to the eruption than a source of eruptive forces.