Drugs in orthodontics: A review

Orthodontic tooth movement is a complex procedure in which changes occur from the tissue level to the molecular level. Orthodontic force when applied gives rise to a cascade of inflammatory steps in which chemical mediators are involved. Various metabolites in human body like prostaglandins, cytokines, interleukins are involved in the molecular level of tooth movement. There is a significant increase in the adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment. So influence of systemic diseases and their medications seem to positively or negatively effect the rate of orthodontic tooth movement. Also the analgesics advised also showed varying responses to tooth movement. Therefore a detailed knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of tooth movement and effects of drugs on it should be understood by the Orthodontist. This review provides a brief outline on the mechanism of tooth movement and effect of commonly used drugs