24 February 2026

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The Potential Use of Pharmacological Agents to Modulate Orthodontic Tooth Movement (OTM)

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The biological processes that come into play during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) have been shown to be influenced by a variety of pharmacological agents. The effects of such agents are of particular relevance to the clinician as the rate of tooth movement can be accelerated or reduced as a result. This review aims to provide an overview of recent insights into drug-mediated effects and the potential use of drugs to influence the rate of tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. The limitations of current experimental models and the need for well-designed clinical and pre-clinical studies are also discussed.

Introduction

During orthodontic treatment, the application of sustained force on teeth sets in motion processes that ultimately lead to alveolar bone remodeling. These biochemical processes involve a multitude of cellular and molecular networks (Ren and Vissink, 2008; Zainal Ariffin et al., 2011; d'Apuzzo et al., 2013; Patil et al., 2013). Pharmacological agents have the potential to interfere with the biochemical processes which govern tooth movement during, and stability after, orthodontic treatment. As a result, the possibility to accelerate/enhance OTM where needed (such as in areas of space closure) and to halt tooth movement where desired (to provide anchorage or to ensure positional tooth stability during the initial retention period) has attracted considerable interest in the field. Already in 1982 Yamasaki et al. showed that local administration of prostaglandins E1 or E2 accelerated experimental tooth movement in monkeys (Macaca fuscata) (Yamasaki et al., 1982).

In the present article we review reported experimental results on drugs that can modulate orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and discuss the potential of pharmacological strategies aimed at supporting orthodontic interventions.

Authors: Thaleia Kouskoura, Christos Katsaros, Stephan von Gunten

Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/