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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Studying Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Mice
Published on: August 2, 2024
Temporal dynamics of human biomarkers of orthodontically-induced root resorption: A systematic review
Wenyu Feng1, Lauranne Van Orshoven2, Nagihan Bostanci3
1Department of Oral Health Sciences-Orthodontics, KU Leuven and Dentistry, University Hospitals Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, Blok A, Bus 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. wenyu.feng@kuleuven.be.
Objective:
To summarize time-related biomarker changes in orthodontically-induced root resorption (OIRR), classify biomarkers by function, and examine trajectories across OIRR stages.
Materials And Methods:
PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, CINAHL and grey literature, were searched from inception to October 1, 2025. Reference lists were manually searched. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 for RCTs and ROBINS-I for non-RCTs. The certainty of evidence was evaluated via GRADE. Because of heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively.
Results:
From 11,434 records, 14 studies (225 participants) were included. Gingival crevicular fluid, saliva and serum were analyzed, mainly using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RoB was 'moderate'- 'serious' (non-RCTs) or 'some concerns' (RCTs). Studies reported a rise of pro-inflammatory cytokines right after force application. Subsequent force application phases showed signals of osteoclastic activity and regulation, followed by detection of root hard tissue degradation products that correlated with OIRR volume. Higher baseline salivary secretory IgA and anti-dentin humoral responses and lower baseline mineralized-tissue regulators were associated with greater OIRR severity.
Conclusion:
Evidence suggests time-related changes involving early inflammatory activation and later matrix degradation, which may be shaped by interaction between orthodontic force and patients' biological responses. Standardized multicenter prospective cohorts are needed for validation.
Clinical Relevance:
Early cytokines changes and later signals of osteoclast regulation and root hard tissue degradation may help define candidate monitoring method for OIRR during treatment. Baseline immune profiles could inform future risk stratification, while bone turnover biomarkers may reflect tooth movement rather than resorption.