Role of messenger system in orthodontic tooth movement

Various in vivo and in vitro studies have established that arachidonic acid metabolites i.e., prostaglandins and leukotriens play a key role in the conversion of orthodontic pressure stimuli into a cell mediated response. However, considering the different response of osteoblasts and osteoclasts to the same chemical stimuli that leads to the deposition of bone on tension side and resorption on pressure side it has been suggested that it is the messenger system that modulates the behaviour of cells. The messenger system translates a wide array of external stimuli (first messenger) in to a narrow range of internal signals (second messengers). The role of Cyclic-AMP (C-AMP), Inositol phosphate (IP3), and Diacyleglycerol (DAG) as second messengers in the mediation of orthodontic tooth movement have been discussed in this article.