Mechanical stress induces bone formation in the maxillary sinus in a short-term mouse model

Clinicians occasionally face the challenge of moving a tooth through the maxillary sinus. The objective of this study was to evaluate tissue remodeling during tooth movement into the maxillary sinus, more specifically as regards to bone formation.

The maxillary first molar of 20 male mice was moved toward the palatal side by a nickel-titanium super elastic wire for 1 to 14 days, and the bone remodeling around the root was evaluated using histomorphometry and immunodetection of bone-restricted Ifitm-like (Bril) protein, a novel marker of active bone formation.

When mechanical stress was applied to the tooth, the periodontal ligament on the palatal side was immediately compressed to approximately half of its original width by the tipping movement of the tooth. At the same time, osteoblasts deposited new bone on the wall of the maxillary sinus prior to bone resorption by osteoclasts on the periodontal side, as evidenced by the high level of expression of Bril at this site. As a result of these sequential processes, bone on the sinus side maintained a consistent thickness during the entire observation period. No root resorption was observed.

Bone formation on the surface of the maxillary sinus was evoked by mechanotransduction of mechanical stress applied to a tooth over a 2-week period, and was induced ahead of bone resorption on the periodontal ligament side.

Mechanical stress can be exploited to induce bone formation in the maxillary sinus so that teeth can be moved into the sinus without losing bone or causing root damage.