Prof. Vinod Krishnan

Since its inception over two millennia ago, in the early years of the 21st century, the application of mechanical force to teeth and jaws has been the central focus of orthodontic treatment worldwide. Devices have been designed to correct any malocclusion based on the empirical observation that oro-facial tissues remodel when subjected to forces, allowing teeth to be repositioned. Advances in biological research at the tissue, cellular, and molecular levels have opened new opportunities for evaluating orthodontic patients both morphologically and biologically. Unfortunately, it is disheartening to note that biological and clinical research tend to progress separately within the specialty, with few clinical applications stemming from key findings in basic science. This presentation aims to shed light on the biological mechanisms behind orthodontic tooth movement and emphasize its significance in certain clinical situations, especially when patients are on medications or have medical conditions that could affect their treatment.

Learning objectives

• Brief overview of biological research in orthodontics

• Brief description of molecular-level findings of clinical importance

• An insight into the medical conditions that an orthodontist should be aware of

• Clinical scenarios where a practitioner is in utmost need to be aware of the prescribed medications of the patient to bring in optimal treatment results