Bone response to orthodontic forces in diabetic Wistar rats

Introduction: Patients with type 1 diabetes have shown decreased bone mineral density (BMD) values. The need for orthodontic treatment in diabetic patients is usually associated with occlusal problems and the occurrence of abnormalities in the development of the jaws. The aim of this study was to analyze bone response of insulin-treated and untreated diabetic rats after applying orthodontic forces. Methods: Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: experimental orthodontics, experimental diabetes and orthodontics, and experimental diabetes treated with insulin and experimental orthodontics. Orthodontic forces were applied the first day of the seventh week. Forty-eight hours after placement, all the animals were killed, and the maxillae were excised and processed using routine histologic techniques. Results: Bone activity in the periodontal cortex of the dental alveolus showed a significant decrease in bone formation and erosive areas in diabetic animals as compared with controls. A recovery of these parameters could be observed in the group with experimental diabetes treated with insulin and experimental orthodontics. Bone volume in the interradicular bone showed no significant differences among groups. Conclusions: People with diabetes should not receive orthodontic treatment until their metabolic status normalizes. Bone response to orthodontic forces in insulin-treated diabetic subjects does not differ significantly from that observed in healthy subjects. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2011; 139:S76-82)