Medication Effects on the Rate of Orthodontic Tooth Movement

In this chapter, we reviewed the effects of medication on bone physiology and orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). The chapter is organized according to the classes of medication, such as synthetic analogues of eicosanoids, analgesics, corticosteroids, insulin, relaxin, as well as calcium and calcium regulators. We looked into well-controlled animal studies because clinical studies were scarce. Topical administration of synthetic analogues of eicosanoids increased the rate of OTM, whereas inhibition of these analogues decreased OTM. Opioid-based analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decreased OTM, whereas non-NSAIDs (such as paracetamol) did not affect the rate of OTM. Corticosteroid hormones, calcium and calcium regulators such as exogenous parathyroid hormone (PTH), and thyroxine stimulated OTM in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with insulin delayed OTM, while relaxin might have a positive effect on relapse, following OTM, because it modulated collagen metabolism. Estrogen supplementation used to overcome postmenopausal problems might slow down OTM, but there was no experimental evidence. Progesterone, bisphosphonates (BP), and local injection of vitamin D3 delayed OTM. Medications may influence OTM, and for this reason, adequate information on their consumption is essential for orthodontic treatment planning.