How Do Braces Move My Teeth?

Posted by adortalukdar on February 14th, 2015

The way teeth movement produced by the body is somewhat complex and it may take forever to even explain them, considering all that is involved in it.  Lots of tissues and cells are involved in the process. Many of these cells are not even well known.  There are also some cell signaling substances that are involved in the teeth moving process. The cells and the tissues that are around the teeth get stimulated into action once there is application of force by a brace. The brace has to be applied right to the root of the tooth for this reaction to take place.   Some of the cells involved in the reaction hinted above are referred to as osteoblast. Osteoblasts are new bone cells. Another set of cells involved in the process are referred to as osteoclasts. While osteoclast is responsible for removing formed bone, osteoblast on the other hand is responsible for the formation and deposition of new bone.  

In order to get the teeth removed, some pressure is applied to the bracket. Once applied, this leads to generation of pressure right at the root of the tooth.  This leads to bone remodeling as well as movement of the tooth. The force combination of this type is referred to as couple.  From the ordinary knowledge of physics, a couple is two similar forces that are applied in opposite direction about an object. The attachment of the brace is at the teeth's crown and this necessitates the use of couple for its movement. The case would have been different if the braces were attached to the center of resistance of the tooth. The center of   resistance is located at the root and it may be somewhat difficult to apply any excess force around this area.

The tooth movement does not occur immediately the force is applied. The time lag that existing between movement and force application is due to how the adjacent bone to the tooth are removed by the body.  Bones are usually removed some distance from the root and not next to the tooth. The cells mentioned above may therefore require up to a couple of weeks to remove bones close to the teeth. After the lag period has expired, some significant changes are then experienced by the bone. There is increase in rapidity of teeth movement. Such rapidity persists for up to 3 weeks. The extent of the movement is largely determined by the magnitude of force that is active on the tooth.

Dr. M. Scott Runnels, DDS deals in orthodontics.   Their activities are patient-focused and they receive the patient in a highly welcoming and very warm reception area that brings the mind to rest and allays fear of any kind from the patient.