Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) in root resorption during orthodontic tooth movement.
Material and methods: Forty 12-week-old male SD rats were used with the right maxillary side as the experimental group and the left maxillary side as the control group. After 1 N (100g) force was loaded on the right maxillary first molar, the rats were sacrificed on days 0, 1, 4, 8, and 12. Mesial root resorption of the first molar, the number of odontoclasts and osteoclasts, and OPG and RANKL mRNA expression were determined by hematoxylin-eosin and scanning electron microscopy, tartrate-resistant acid phosphate staining, and in situ hybridization, respectively.
Results: Serious root resorption was apparent on the pressure side of the mesial root of the right maxillary first molar on days 8 and 12. The number of odontoclasts in the cementum lacuna was elevated on days 8 and 12. OPG expression rose significantly on the tensile side, while RANKL expression increased on the pressure side. The mRNA level of RANKL was significantly elevated on days 4, 8, and 12. Moreover, the RANKL/OPG mRNA ratio was increased on the pressure side, but decreased on the tensile side.
Conclusion: Changes in the expression of RANKL mRNA and the RANKL/OPG mRNA ratio are accompanied by a parallel alteration in the number of odontoclasts and tooth resorption, suggesting crucial involvement of RANKL and OPG in tooth resorption.