Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
3D Imaging of PDL Collagen Fibers during Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Mandibular Murine Model
Published on: April 15, 2021
Optical approach to the periodontal ligament under orthodontic tooth movement: a preliminary study with optical
Jae Ho Baek1, Jihoon Na, Byeong Ha Lee
1Department of Orthodontics, Division of Dentistry, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, South Korea. baek@baekorthodontics.com
Introduction:
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a diagnostic tool that can make near-histologic tomographic images without a biohazard. Due to its high resolution (average, 4 microm) and safety (using light as the source), it has been applied widely in medical fields to replace invasive biopsies. But the trials in dentistry have been restricted to mainly detecting dental caries and oral cancer. In this preliminary study for successive human studies, we tried to evaluate whether OCT can be helpful in determining tooth movement under light orthodontic forces.
Methods:
Orthodontic distraction forces (0, 5, and 10 g) were applied to the mandibular incisors of 6 white rats (10 weeks old) for 5 days by using individualized loop springs (round Elgiloy, 0.018-in diameter, Rocky Mountain Orthodontics, Denver, Colo). The changed periodontal ligaments were imaged with OCT and digital intraoral radiography 2 dimensionally. Both tensile and compressive ligaments were measured and compared.
Results:
With OCT images, we could measure changed ligaments from all directions; radiography could not show the portions overlapped by teeth. The averages of measured ligament width in OCT were larger than those from radiography in all groups.
Conclusions:
This preliminary study shows the possible evaluation and prediction of precise tooth responses under orthodontic forces by using real-time OCT.
