The effects of pregnancy and fluoride on orthodontic tooth movements in rats.

The present investigation was undertaken in order to study the velocity of orthodontic tooth movement in rats and the effect of the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy or with fluoride, which is one of several trace elements that affect hard tissue metabolism. Adult, female Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into three groups: non-pregnant, pregnant, and non-pregnant NaF-supplied. All rats were treated with a fixed orthodontic appliance which moved the upper first molars in a buccal direction during 21 days. The appliances delivered an initial force of 150 mN. Repeated intra-oral, standardized radiographs were taken during the experimental period, and at the end of the experiment the maxillae were examined histologically. The velocity of tooth movement was calculated after measurement of the radiographs. The first molars were moved in a buccal direction in all groups. The mean value of the expansion from day 0 to 21 was significantly higher among the pregnant rats (0.64 mm) compared to the non-pregnant, control animals (0.46 mm) while the NaF-supplied rats had a significantly lower expansion (0.22 mm) compared to the control animals. In the histological examination of the pressure sides of the PDL of the upper first molars, the mean value of osteoclasts per microns x 10(-3) increased non-significantly in the group of pregnant rats and decreased significantly among the NaF-supplied animals compared to the non-pregnant control rats. The present experiment in rats indicated that the velocity of orthodontic tooth movement is influenced by hormones as well as trace elements.