Accelerated orthodontic tooth movement: Molecular mechanisms

•History of the evolution of clinical methods to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement is reviewed.•The relationship between bone modeling, remodeling and orthodontic tooth movement is described.•Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying accelerated orthodontic tooth movement are delineated.•Clinical and experimental methods to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement are reviewed.

Accelerating orthodontic tooth movement can significantly reduce treatment duration and risks of side effects. The rate of orthodontic tooth movement is chiefly determined by the remodeling of tissues surrounding the roots; this in turn is under the control of molecular mechanisms regulating cellular behaviors in the alveolar bone and periodontal ligament. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms underlying accelerated orthodontic tooth movement, and the clinical and experimental methods that accelerate orthodontic tooth movement with possible molecular mechanisms. The review also shows directions for future studies to develop more clinically applicable methods to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement.