Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
Studying Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Mice
Published on: August 2, 2024
The effects of binge alcohol exposure on tooth movement and associated root resorption in rats
Fan Yang1, Xu Xia Wang2, Jing Li1
1Shandong Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, Jinan, Shandong Province, China; Department of Orthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
Background:
Considering the increasing prevalence of alcohol use and the growing number of orthodontic patients, some orthodontic patients might engage in binge drinking during treatment. Nevertheless, little is known about the effect of alcohol use on orthodontic treatment.
Methods:
Male Wistar rats were divided into ethanol and control groups (n = 32). The rats received a single daily intraperitoneal injection of 20% (vol/vol) ethanol/saline solution at a dose of 3 g/kg of ethanol or saline for three consecutive days, and no injection was given during the remaining four days each week. All rats received orthodontic appliances to draw the maxillary first molar mesially. The rats were sacrificed at days 14 and 28, respectively. The amount of tooth movement was measured. Root resorption area was evaluated by scanning electron microscope. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining were conducted. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed to evaluate the expressions of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).
Results:
There were no significant differences in tooth movement and root resorption between ethanol and control groups. The number of TRAP-positive cells was significantly higher in the ethanol group. The expression of RANKL was statistically increased in the ethanol group. In contrast, the expression of OPG was remarkably decreased in rats injected with ethanol. Moreover, the iNOS level was significantly up-regulated in the ethanol group.
Conclusion:
The tooth movement and root resorption in rats were not affected by binge alcohol exposure.
