Effect of the Bioelectricity in Tooth Movement

Objective:The purpose of this study were to determine whether an exogenous electric currents to alveolar bone surrounding orthodontically-treated tooth can enhance tooth movement in human and to verify the effect of electric currents on tooth movement in clinical aspect. Methods:This study was performed with 1 male and 6 females. Electric appliance was applied in maxilla and provided providing the direct electric current of 20 µË. Electric appliances have two types. One was fixed type, and the other was removable type. Fixed type was used for first 2 weeks and removable type was for later 2 weeks. Maxillary canines were assigned as control and experimental sides. Experimental canine was provided orthodontic forces and electric current. Control side was given orthodontic forces only. Electrical current was provided to experimental canines 5 hours a day. The amount of canine movement was measured with electronic caliper every week. Result: 1. The final amount of orthodontic tooth movement in experimental side was increased significantly compared to control side. 2. The amount of tooth movement in experimental side was larger than control side in all experimental subjects and all period except third week in subject 1. 3. The amount of tooth movement in experimental side was significant in statistical significancy. The ratio of individual tooth movement was 30% more in the experimental side. 4. Clinical significancy in every week was very various. but the standards of the experimental patients in 4 weeks was similar in a range of 32±4% except patient 1. Conclusion: These results suggested that the low-density exogenous electric current by the miniature electric device might accelerate orthodontic tooth movement and have the potential to reduce the orthodontic treatment duration by one third.