NSAID impairment of orthodontic tooth movement

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impairment of orthodontic tooth movement caused by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). DATA SOURCES: Biomedical literature accessed through MEDLINE (1966-January 2000), EMBASE (1980-January 2000), and International Pharmaceutical Abstrac ts (1970-January 2000). Key search terms included NSAIDs, orthodontics, and tooth movement. DATA SYNTHESIS: Orthodontic dentistry applies mechanical force to gene rate tooth movement. Since prostaglandins are mediators of tooth movement, it i s reasonable to expect that prostaglandin inhibitors, such as NSAIDs, inhib it or delay tooth movement. An evaluation of studies measuring the extent o f NSAID impairment on tooth movement was undertaken. CONCLUSIONS: Results from animal studies have shown that NSAIDs can impair the tooth movement process. Until long-term: human data are obtained, aceta minophen remains an appropriate alternative to NSAIDs for treating orthodon tic-associated pain.