Biology of Tooth Movement

An Orthodontic appliance transfers mechanical stresses through the tooth to the periodontium where they are translated into physical, chemical, and electrical signals to cells that activate tissue remodeling to allow tooth movement. The orthodontist is able to control the quantity and quality of the force system applied to the teeth, where as the speed and way in which teeth move is ultimately determined by the biological response. To interpret the biological responses to activation of any orthodontic appliance, each interface in the process must be thoroughly understood and hence a through knowledge of biology of tooth movement is very essential.