Biomarkers of Orthodontic Tooth Movement With Fixed Appliances and Vibration Appliance Therapy

Currently, orthodontic treatment typically lasts approximately 2 years. There are a number of advantages for reducing the duration of treatment, including reducing the potential risk of caries, root resorption and for minimizing patient "burn out" from prolonged treatment. While some evidence does exist that vibration may accelerate the speed of tooth movement, the biological mechanism is still unknown. Identification of specific factors involved in tooth movement that are further stimulated by vibration would help to understand the mechanisms involved as well as discover possible biologic targets which could be utilized or modified to maximize the benefits of vibration treatment. The purpose of this study is to identify novel biological factors that are expressed in patients undergoing orthodontic tooth movement in conjunction with vibration appliance therapy.