BACKGROUND: Masticatory stimulation during the healing period may promote periodontal ligament healing. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of orthodontic force on the periodontal healing of autotransplanted teeth. METHODS: A total of 30 teeth from four dogs were endodontically treated to prevent subsequent inflammatory root resorption. The teeth were atraumatically extracted and autotransplanted to the other side of the same jaw. A continuous 50-g orthodontic force was applied during the first, second, and fourth weeks after autotransplantation. After 8 weeks, the animals were sacrificed using vital perfusion fixation, and the teeth were histologically prepared and evaluated following the Andreasen method. RESULTS: The application of force in the first, second, and fourth weeks after autotransplantation resulted in a lower occurrence of ankylosis. The first- and second-week loading groups differed significantly from the control group (P <0.05); however, significantly more resorption and less complete healing were observed in the first-week loading group than in the other groups (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that orthodontic force promotes periodontal ligament healing and that early force loading may prevent dentoalveolar ankylosis; however, a period of rest of ≥2 weeks is recommended for the autotransplants before loading.
BACKGROUND: Masticatory stimulation during the healing period may promote periodontal ligament healing. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of orthodontic force on the periodontal healing of autotransplanted teeth. METHODS: A total of 30 teeth from four dogs were endodontically treated to prevent subsequent inflammatory root resorption. The teeth were atraumatically extracted and autotransplanted to the other side of the same jaw. A continuous 50-g orthodontic force was applied during the first, second, and fourth weeks after autotransplantation. After 8 weeks, the animals were sacrificed using vital perfusion fixation, and the teeth were histologically prepared and evaluated following the Andreasen method. RESULTS: The application of force in the first, second, and fourth weeks after autotransplantation resulted in a lower occurrence of ankylosis. The first- and second-week loading groups differed significantly from the control group (P <0.05); however, significantly more resorption and less complete healing were observed in the first-week loading group than in the other groups (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that orthodontic force promotes periodontal ligament healing and that early force loading may prevent dentoalveolar ankylosis; however, a period of rest of ≥2 weeks is recommended for the autotransplants before loading.