Mechanobiology of the tooth movement during the orthodontic treatment: a literature review

Orthodontic tooth movement differs significantly from the physiological tooth movement, because it effects a biological response of the surrounding tissues of the teeth, resulting in a remodeling of the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone. The result is a biochemical adaptive response to the application of the orthodontic force with the reorganization of the intracellular and the extracellular matrix, in addition to a change of the local vascularization. This in turn leads to the synthesis and the release of arachidonic acid, growth factors, metabolites, cytokines and various enzymes. Biologically, not only the intensity of the force, but also the duration of this and the tissue response to the application of the same are important for the purpose of tooth movement. Having these insights it will possible to examine the concept of optimal orthodontic force, a determining factor for the success of orthodontic treatment. The purpose of this revision is to describe the biological processes and future perspective that occur following the application of orthodontic force, by providing relevant information to understand what are the changes at the molecular and cellular level that undergo when the tissues are subjected to such forces. More knowledge on the subject of mechanics and biology in orthodontics are constantly growing, producing an increasingly strong basis for clinical success.