Optimum force magnitude for orthodontic tooth movement: a systematic literature review

The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of the literature concerning the optimal force or range of forces for orthodontic tooth movement. Over 400 articles both on human research and animal experiments were found in Medline and by hand searching of main orthodontic and dental journals. Articles on animal experiments were in the majority. A wide range of animal species such as rat, cat, rabbit, beagle dog, monkey, mouse, and guinea pig were used. Besides variation in species, there was also a wide range of force magnitudes, teeth under study, directions of tooth movement, duration of experimental period, and force reactivation. Furthermore, hardly any experiments were reported that provide information on the relation between the velocity of tooth movement and the magnitude of the applied force. Data from human research on the efficiency of orthodontic tooth movement appeared to be very limited. The large variation in data from current literature made it impossible to perform a meta-analysis. Therefore, we have systematically reviewed the literature. It appeared that no evidence about the optimal force level in orthodontics could be extracted from literature. Well-controlled clinical studies and more standardized animal experiments in the orthodontic field are required to provide more insight into the relation between the applied force and the rate of tooth movement.