Evaluation of different grafting materials for alveolar cleft repair in the context of orthodontic tooth movement in rats

Biological Effects of Orthodontic Tooth Movement on the Periodontium in Regenerated Bone Defects: A Scoping Review

The aim of this scoping review is to analyse the biological effects of the orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) in areas with bone defects that are undergoing regeneration using different types of regenerative materials and techniques. The electronic research was performed on four databases as follows: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Data were extracted according to publication information, study design, sample characteristics, parameters of OTM, biological repercussions on the periodontium complex, methods of analysis, and conclusions. A total of thirty studies were included in the final review. In twenty-two studies, the most widely adopted grafting materials were alloplastics. In most studies, the orthodontic force used was 10 or 100 g, and the timing of application ranged from immediate to 6 months after grafting surgery. Twenty-four studies showed an increase in osteogenesis; in five studies, the clinical attachment level (CAL) increased; in five others, the probing pocket depth (PPD) decreased; in sixteen studies, there was root resorption of a different magnitude. Though the effects of OTM on the periodontium in the grafted areas were positive, the outcomes should be interpreted with caution as future preclinical and clinical studies are needed to extrapolate more valid conclusions.

Orthodontic tooth movement after periodontal regeneration of intrabony defects

The prevalence of intrabony defects in patients with advanced periodontitis stages III and IV is high. These patients usually need both periodontal treatment and orthodontic therapy, including tooth movement through bone defects, to improve masticatory function, aesthetics, and overall quality of life. Clinical practice guidelines recommend periodontal regenerative surgical interventions to resolve these defects and propose initiating orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) once periodontal therapy goals have been met. Surgical interventions using various regenerative technologies like barrier membranes and enamel matrix proteins, combined or not with bone replacement grafts, have proven effective in regenerating lost periodontal tissues. However, the combination of periodontal and orthodontic treatments requires consideration of how periodontal regenerative therapies influence OTM. Studies suggest that regenerated bone may differ in density, composition, vascularity, and cellular activity, potentially affecting the speed and efficiency of OTM, and potential root resorption of moved teeth. Understanding the sequence and timing of implementing OTM after regenerative periodontal interventions is crucial due to their interlinked processes of bone resorption and formation. This narrative review aims to uncover scientific evidence regarding these combined treatments, examining the impacts of different regenerative technologies on OTM and delineating their advantages, limitations, and best practices.

β-Tricalcium Phosphate as Alveolar Bone Grafting in Cleft Lip/Palate: A Systematic Review

The aim of this systematic review is to describe and identify the prospects of β-Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP) as an alveolar bone grafting (ABG) material in cleft lip/palate (CL/P) or alveolar bone cleft defects. A systematic review protocol based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 (PRISMA 2020) was drafted. The literature search was conducted using MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science/ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, with English as the inclusion criterion and no publication year limits. The keywords yielded a total of 5824 publications. After removing duplicates and non-English articles, there were 3196 suitable articles available for evaluation. Subsequently, 1315 studies remained after reviewing titles and abstracts. Furthermore, 85 full articles were assessed for eligibility. After reading the complete texts of those papers, 20 were eventually selected that matched the inclusion requirements. Thirteen out of the twenty studies included in this systematic review were deemed to have a low risk of bias; one had a high risk of bias; and six had a moderate risk of bias due to not reporting randomization. β-TCP, when used as an ABG material, is biocompatible, visible, practical, offers a less invasive procedure, and does not interfere with orthodontic treatment. Synthetic β-TCP for ABG can be an alternative to autologous bone grafts under certain terms and conditions. The efficacy of β-TCP for ABG in CL/P or alveolar bone cleft defects can be enhanced through a tissue engineering approach that combines β-TCP with growth factors, mesenchymal stem cells, or other graft materials, along with modifications to β-TCP's physical properties.

Functional Biomaterials for Local Control of Orthodontic Tooth Movement

Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) occurs with the application of a controlled mechanical force and results in coordinated tissue resorption and formation in the surrounding bone and periodontal ligament. The turnover processes of the periodontal and bone tissue are associated with specific signaling factors, such as Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor Kappa-β Ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), etc., which can be regulated by different biomaterials, promoting or inhibiting bone remodeling during OTM. Different bone substitutes or bone regeneration materials have also been applied to repair alveolar bone defects followed by orthodontic treatment. Those bioengineered bone graft materials also change the local environment that may or may not affect OTM. This article aims to review functional biomaterials that were applied locally to accelerate OTM for a shorter duration of orthodontic treatment or impede OTM for retention purposes, as well as various alveolar bone graft materials which may affect OTM. This review article summarizes various types of biomaterials that can be locally applied to affect the process of OTM, along with their potential mechanisms of action and side effects. The functionalization of biomaterials can improve the solubility or intake of biomolecules, leading to better outcomes in terms of increasing or decreasing the speed of OTM. The ideal timing for initiating OTM is generally considered to be 8 weeks post-grafting. However, more evidence is needed from human studies to fully understand the effects of these biomaterials, including any potential adverse effects.

Correlations between radiological and histological findings of bone remodelling and root resorption in a rodent cleft model

Background

The evaluation of bone remodelling and dental root resorption can be performed by histological techniques or micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between these two procedures in the context of cleft repair in a rat model.

Methods

The reconstructed maxillae and the orthodontically-moved first molar of 12 rats were analysed for correlations between the histological and radiological findings retrospectively. The alveolar cleft repairs were performed using bone autografts or (human) xenografts. Four weeks after the operation, the intervention of the first molar protraction was initiated and lasted for eight weeks. The newly formed bone and the root resorption lacunae were determined via histology. In the micro-CT analysis, the average change of bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness and trabecular separation of the jaw, as well as the volume of the root resorptions were determined. The Pearson correlation coefficient was applied to study the associations between groups.

Results

Positive correlations were found only between the newly formed bone (histology) and BMD changes (micro-CT) in the autograft group (r = 0.812, 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.979, p = 0.05). The relationship of newly formed bone and BV/TV was similar but not statistically significant (r = 0.691, 95% CI: −0.274 to 0.963, p = 0.013). Regarding root resorption, no significant correlations were found.

Conclusions

Due to the lack of correlation between histological and radiological findings of bone remodelling and the development of root resorptions, both methods should be combined in this cleft model in rats for a comprehensive analysis.

Development of root resorption during orthodontic tooth movement after cleft repair using different grafting materials in rats

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of three grafting materials for cleft repair on orthodontic tooth movement in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Artificial alveolar clefts were created in 21 Wistar rats and were repaired 4 weeks later using autografts, human xenografts and synthetic bone substitute (beta-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite [β-TCP/HA]). A further 4 weeks later, the first molar was moved into the reconstructed maxilla. Microfocus computed tomography (μCT) was performed six times (T0-T5) to assess the tooth movement and root resorption. After 8 weeks, the affected reconstructed jaw was resected for histopathological investigation.

RESULTS

Total distances reached ranged from 0.82 ± 0.72 mm (β-TCP/HA) to 0.67 ± 0.27 mm (autograft). The resorption was particularly determined at the mesiobuccal root. Descriptive tooth movement slowed and root resorption increased slightly. However, neither the radiological changes during tooth movement (µCT T1 vs. µCT T5: autograft 1.85 ± 0.39 mm³ vs. 2.38 ± 0.35 mm³, p = 0.30; human xenograft 1.75 ± 0.45 mm³ vs. 2.17 ± 0.26 mm³, p = 0.54; β-TCP/HA: 1.52 ± 0.42 mm³ vs. 1.88 ± 0.41 mm³, p = 0.60) nor the histological differences after tooth movement (human xenograft: 0.078 ± 0.05 mm²; β-TCP/HA: 0.067 ± 0.049 mm²; autograft: 0.048 ± 0.015 mm²) were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The autografts, human xenografts or synthetic bone substitute used for cleft repair seem to have a similar effect on the subsequent orthodontic tooth movement and the associated root resorptions.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Development of root resorptions seems to have a secondary role in choosing a suitable grafting material for cleft repair.