Objectives: The aim of this study was to verify the delayed alterations in the periodontium of rats submitted to orthodontic movement, produced by nandrolone at the dose of 1 mg/kg administered subcutaneously.
Methods: Twenty Wistar rats were used, and were submitted to subcutaneous injections of nandrolone 24 hours before being anesthetized with ketamine (10mg/kg) in order to place appliances that would lead to orthodontic movement of the maxillary right first molars, with the first molars on the left side being used as control. Histologic cuts (stained with hematoxylin/eosin and Masson trichromic) of the animals' maxillary tissues were obtained after 3, 7, 21 or 28 days of movement.
Results: After statistical (Kruskal Wallis test) and descriptive analysis, it was observed that nandrolone, at a therapeutic dose, increased dental and distant bone reabsorption on the pressure side of teeth submitted to orthodontic movement, which is visible later, weeks after activation.
Conclusions: It was concluded that orthodontic movement could cause reabsorption in the teeth of patients who used nandrolone, and it is suggested that care should be taken with these individuals, such as the use of lighter forces and longer spacing between consultations for activation.